I 



4 



AN 



ADMONITION 

TO 

Unconverted Sinners; 

IN V, 

A SERIOUS TREATISE: 

•SHEWING, 



J. What Conversion is not, 
and corre&ing fome Mif- 
takes about it. 

II. What Converfion fa and 
wherein it confifteth. 

III. The Neceffity of Con- 
verfion* 



IV. The Marks of the Un- 
converted. 

V. The Mifcries of the Vn-> 
converted. 

VL Directions for Conver- 
fion. 

Vll. Motives to Converfion* 



TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 

PRAYERS for FAMILIES- 



By JOSEPH ALLEINE, 
Late Minifterof the Gofpel at Taunton, in Somerfetjbire* 



LONDON: 
Publifiied and fold by all the Bookfellers; and by TV Wil- 
fon and R. Spence, Printers, High-Oufegate, York. 

Anno 1801. 

Prkf If, 6a\ bound, 



<&0Y 



The DIGNITY of the SOUL, 

Arifing from its . Immortality. 



The eternal Salvation of one Soul Is of greater 
importance, and big with greater events, than the 
falvation of a whole kingdom, for any limited time, 
though it were for the fpace of ten thoufand ages. 
Becaufe there will come up a point, an inftant in 
eternity, when that one foul foall have exifted as 
many ages as all theindividuals of a whole king- 
dom, ranged inclofe fuccefaon, will, in the whole^ 
have exifted in the fpace of ten thoufand ages. 
Therefore, one foul is capable of a larger ihare of 
happinefs or mifery, throughout an endlefs eternity 
(for that will Hill be before it), than a whole king- 
dom is capable q{ iq ten thoufand ages, 



TO THE 

READER. 



READER, 

YOU are here preferred with a book, which was 
written many years before the name of Me- 
thodifm was known inr the world ; which it may be 
proper to remind you of, in order to remove any un- 
favourable prejudice arifing from that quarter. 
What I would recommend to you is, to read it with 
attention, examination, and prayer, as the mod ef- 
fectual method you can take to render it a blefling 
to your own foul. The author feems to have made 
ufe of every poffible argument to win upon your in- 
genuity, to awaken confcience, and to direft you in 
the way everlailing, 

I charge you, as in the prefenceof the living God," 
now to do your part, and give it a faithful reading : 
I beg of you by every endearing motive of love and 
affe&ion to your precious and immortal foul, that 
you will look upon this book as calculated to pro- 
mote your prefent and everlailing happinefs ; ■ and 
I beg of God, that he would be pleafed fo to ac- 
company your reading of it with his divine and 
heavenly grace, as to afford you matter of thankf- 
giving, gratitude, and praife to his holy name, for 
ever and ever. 

Man, by nature and pra&ice, is a finner before 
God ; a charge of guilt is fattened upon him ; this 
■ in words he readily acknowledges ; but being blind- 
Y ed with prejudice, and having wrong conceptions 
both of the nature of God and fin, he flatters him- 
A z 



( iv ) 



felf that all will be well at laft, and that a merciful 
God will not finally condemn him ; this lulls him 
afleep in Satan's arms, and makes him fecure and 
cafy under all the denunciations of God's wrath 
againft him. 

One grand defign of the author in this book is 
to difpel that grofs darknefs, to re&ify thofe falfe 
conceptions he has of God and fin, and to convince 
him that, notwithstanding all his vain pretentions, 
without true repentance, the fentence of wrath 
Hands in full force againft him ftilJ. 

Jefus Chrift is fet forth in fcripture as the Sa- 
viour of finners, the helper of the helplefs; the only 
fure bottom upon which man is to anchor the hope 
of eternal falvation. To this Lord and Saviour is 
the awakened {inner dire&ed in this book ; a free 
and a full falvation is offered him under every pof- 
fible alfurance, that if he clofes with it, his fins mall 
le pardoned, his perfon and future fervices ac- 
cepted ; and, from being a brand of hell, he fnail 
become an heir of eternal glory. 

Reader, the former character either is, or has 
been thine own: if it is thine at this prefent reading, 
remember thy danger ; take the alarm and flee 
from the wrath to come : if it has been thine for- 
merly, and thou art truly converted to God, by Je- 
fus Chrift, give him all the glory, rejoice in the 
liappy exchange; walk worthy of thy high calling, 
and thou art made for ever. 



Thy ready fervant in the Lord, 



AN 



ADMONITION 



TO 

UNCONVERTED SINNERS. 

An EARNEST INVITATION to SINNERS tO tlim 

to God, in order to their eternal salva- 
tion. 

DEARLY beloved and longed-for, I gladly 
acknowledge myfelf a debtor to you all, and 
am concerned, as I would be found a good fteward 
to the houfehold of God, to give to every one his 
portion: but the phyfician is moft folicitous for thofa 
patients, whofe cafe is moft doubtful and hazardous; 
and the father's bowels are efpecially turned 
towards his dying child. The numbers of uncon- 
verted fouls among you, call for my moft carneft 
companions and hafty diligence to pluck them out of 
burning, Jude 23. And therefore, to thefe firft I 
fhall apply myfelf in thefe lines. 

But whence mall I fetch my argument ? or how 
fliall I choofe my words ? Lord, wherewith ihall 
A 3 




6 



An Invitation to S inner $ 



I woo them ? wherewith fhall I win them ? O that 
I could but tell ? I would write to them in tears, 
I would weep out every argument, I would empty 
my veins for ink, I would petition them on my 
knees, verily (were I able) I would i O how thank- 
ful would I be if they would be prevailed with to 
repent and turn ! 

" But, Lord, how infufficient am I for this 
4t work ! I have been many a year wooing for thee, 
** but the damfel would not go with me : Lord, 
*« what a tafk haft thou fct me to do ! Alas, where- 
+< with fhall I pierce the fcales of Leviathan, or 
«« make the heart fo feel that is as hard as ftone, 
* c hard as a piece of nether milftone I Shall 1 go 
*.« and lay my mouth to the grave, and look when 
** the dead will obey me and come forth ? Shall I 

make an oration to the rocks, or declaim to the 
** mountains, and think to move them with argu- 

ments ? Shall I give the blind to fee? From the 
« c beginning of the world was it not heard that a 
*« man opened the eyes of the blind ; but thou, O 
*« Lord ! can ft pierce the fcales, and prick the 

heart of the finner ; I can but moot at rovers, 
*« and draw the bow at a venture ; but do thou di- 
** reft the arrow between the joints of the harneft, 
*' kill the fin, and fave the foul of a finder that 
*' cafts his eyes on thefe labours." 

Brethren, I befeech you furfer friendly plainnefs 
and freedom with you in your deepeft concern- 
ments. I am not playing the orator, to make a 
learned fpeech to you, nor dreffing my dlfh with 
eloquence wherewith to pleafe you ; thefe lines are 
upon a weighty errand indeed, namely, to con- 
vince and convert, aqd to fave you, I am not 



to return to God. 



7 



baiting my hook with rhetoric, nor fifhing for 
your applaufe, but for your fouls. My work is 
not to pleafe you, but to fave you; nor is my bufi- 
nefs with your fancies, but your hearts : If I have 
not your hearts I have nothing. If I were to 
pleafe your ears, I could fing another long : If I 
were to preach myfelf, I would fleer another courfe; 
I could then tell you a fmoother tale: f would 
make you pillows, and fpeak you peace ; for how 
can Ahab love his Micaiah, that " always prophe- 
*« fies evil concerning him f" i Kings, xxin 8. 
But how much " better are the wounds of a friend 
*' than the fair fpeeches of an harlot, who itatter- 
" eth with her lips, till the dart Itrike through the 
" liver, and hunteth for the precious life?" — 
Prov. vii. 21, 22, 23, and vi. 26. If I were to 
quiet a crying infant, I might ling to him a plea- 
fant fong, and rock him aileep ! but when the 
child is fallen into the fire, the parent takes ano- 
ther courfe; he will not go to ftill him with a fong 
or a trifle. I know, if we fpeed not with you, you 
are loft ; if we cannot get your confent to " arife 
** and come away," you perifh for ever : No con- 
verfion, and no falvation : I muft get your good- 
will, or leave you miferable. 

But here the difficulty of my work again recurs 
ypon me, 46 Lord, choofe my ftones out of the 
ff brook," 1 Sam. xvii. 40, 45. "I come in the 
u name of the Lord, of Holts, the God of the 
" armies of Ifrael." I come forth like the {tripling 
David, to wreftle, ** not with flefh and blood, but 
** with principalities and powers, and rulers of the 
*? darknefs of this world," Epb. vi. 12. This day 
let the Lord finite the Philiftine, and u fpoil the 



s 



An Invitation to Sinners, £5*r. 



" ftrongrnan of his armour, and give me to fetch 
" off the captives oat of his hand :" Lord, choofe 
my words, choofe my weapons for me; and "when 
" I put my hand into the bag, and take thence a 
** ftone and fling it, do thou carry it to the mark, 
" and make it fink, not into the forehead," 2 Sam, 
xvii. 49, " but the heart of the unconverted fixir 
" ner, and fmite him to the ground, with Saul in 
" his fo happy fall," Acls fx. 4. Thou haft fent 
me, as Abraham did his fervant, " to take a wife 
" unto my mafter thy fon," Gen. xxiv. 4. ; but 
my difcouraged foul is ready to fear " the woman 
" will not be willing to follow me : O Lord God 
4C of my matter, I pray thee fend me good fpeed 
** this day, and mew kindnefs to my mafter, and 
<c fend thy angel before me, and profper my way, 
** that I may take a wife unto thy fon," Gen. xxiv. 
12.; " that as thy fervant relied not tilL r?e had 
** brought Ifaac and Rebecca together, fo I may 
•* be fuccefsful to bring Chrift and the fouls of my 
" people together before we part." 

But T turn me unto you. Some of you do not 
know what I mean by Convet -fton, and in vain mail 
I perfuade you to that -which you do not under- 
Hand ; and therefore for your fakes, I mall mow 
<what this Converfion is. Others do cherifh fecret J 
hopes of mercy, though they continue as they are ; 
and for them I muft fhow the Necejfity of Converfion. 
Others, are like to harden themielves with a vain 
conceit that they are converted already; unto them 
I muft iliow the marks of the Unconverted. Others, 
becaufe they feel no harm, fear none, and fo fleep 
upon the top of the mail; to them I mall mow the 
miferies of the Unconverted. Others fit ftill be* 



Miftahs about Conwrjion. 



caufe they fee not their way out j to them I fhall 
ihow the Means of £onverJion. And finally, for 
the quickening of all, I fhall clofe with the Motives 
to converjion* 

CHAP. I. 

Showing in the negative *wbat conversion is 

not, and correcting Jome mistakes about it. 
TT ET the blind Samaritans worfhip they know 
J j not what, John iv, 22. ; let the Heathen 
Athenians fuperfcribe their altar, " Unto the un* 
" known God," Ads xvii. 23. ; they that know 
man's conftitution, and the nature of th? human 
foul's operation, cannot but know, that the under- 
Handing having the empire it) the foul, he that will 
go rationally to works, mufl labour to let in the light 
here. Now, that I may cure the mi (lakes of fome, 
who think they are converted when they are not, 
as well as remove the troubles and fears of others, 
that think they are not converted when they are ; 
I fhall fhow you the nature of convention, both ne- 
gatively, or what it is not ; and pofitively. what 
it is. 

We will begin with the Negative. 
I. " It is not the taking upon us the profeflion 
" of ChrifHanity " Douhdefs Chriftianity is more 
than a name. If we will hear Paul, it lies not in 
word but in power, 1 Cor. iv. 20. If to ceafe to 
be Jews and Pagans, and to put on the Chriftian 
profeflion, had been true converfion, who better 
Chriiiians than they of Sardis and Laodicea ? 
Thefe were all Chriiiians by profeflion, and had 



to 



Miftafos about Cowverfion* 



a name to live ; but becaufe they had but a name, 
are condemned by Chrift, and threatened to be 
fpewed out, Rev. iii. I. 16. Are there not many 
that mention the name of the Lord Jefus, and yet 
depart not from iniquity? 2 Tim. ii. 19. " and 
" profefs they know God, but in works* they deny 
" him ?" Titus i. 15. And will God receive 
thefe for true converts, becaufe turned to the 
Chriftian religion ? What ! converts from fin, 
when yet they do live in fin? It is a vifible contra- 
diction. Surely, if the lamp of profeffion would 
have ferved the turn, the foolifh virgins had never 
been (hut out, Mat. xxv, 12. We find not only 
profeflbrs, but preachers of Chrift, and wonder- 
workers, turned off becaufe evil-workers, Mat. vii. 
22, 23. 

2. tc It is not the being warned in the laver of 
<e regeneration, or putting on the badge of Chrift 
4 * in baptifm." Many take the prefs-money, and 
wear the livery of Chrift, that yet never ftand to 
their colours, nor follow their leader. Ananias 
and Sapphira, and Magus, were baptifed as well 
as the reft. 

Friends and brethren, " Be not deceived. God 
*' is not mocked/' Gal. vk 7. Whether it be 
your baptifm, or whatever elfe that you pretend, 
I tell you from the living God, that if any of you 
be prayerlefs perfons, or unclean, or malicious, 
or covetous, or riotous, or a fccffer, or a lover of 
evil company, Prow. xiii. 20. in a word, if you 
are not holy, ftridt, and felf-denying Chriftians, 
Heb. xii. 14. Mat. xiv. 24. you cannot be faved, 
except you be transformed by a further work upon 
you, and renewed again by repentance. 



Mifiakes about Converjion, 



1 1 



3. * s It lies not in moral righteoufnefs." This 
j exceeds not the righteoufnefs of the Scribes and 
1 Pharifees, and therefore cannot bring us to the 

kingdom of God, Mat, v. 20. Paul, while uncon- 
verted, " touching the righteoufnefs which is in 
** the law, was biarnelefs," Phil, iii. 6. None 
could fay, " Black is thine eye." The felf juf- 
ticiary could fay, " I am no extortioner, adulte- 
" rer, unjuft," &c Luke xviii. ji. Thou muft 
j have fomething more than 'all this to mow, or elfe, 
j however thou mayefl jufrify thyfelf, God will con- 
demn thee. I condemn not morality, but warn you 
not to reft here; piety includes morality, as Chrif- 
tianity doth humanity, and grace reafon ; but we 
j muft not divide the tables. 

4. " It confiih not in an external conformity 
to the rules of piety/' It is too manifeft men 

may have a form of godlinefs without the power, 
! 2 Tim* iii. 5. Men may pray long, Mat. xxiii. 14. 
; and faft often, Luke xviii.x 12. and hear gladly, 
Mark vi. 20. and be very forward in the fervice of 
God, though coftly and expensive, Ifaiah i. 1 1, and 
yet be ftrangers to Con^verjion: They muft have 
more to plead for themfeives, than that they keep 
their church, give aims, and make ufe of prayer, 
to prove themfeives found converts: No outward 
fervice but a hypocrite may do it, even to the 
** giving all his goods to feed the poor, and his 
f* members to the tire," I Cor. xiii. 3. 

5. " It lies not in the chaining up of corruption 
4t by education, human laws, or the force of in* 
* c cumbent afBiclion." It is too common and eafy 
to miftake education for grace; but if this were, 
jpnough, who a better man than Jehoafh ? While 



12 



Miftakes about Conwrjion* 



Jehoidah his uncle lived, he was very forward in 
God's fervice, and calls upon him to repair the 
houfe of the Lord, z Kings xii. 2, 7.; but here 
was nothing more than good education all this 
while; for when his good tutor was taken out of 
the way, he appears to have been but a wolf chain- 
ed up, and falls away to idolatry. 

6. In fhort, " It conflfts not in illuminations or 
€t convi&ion, nor in a fuperficial change or partial 
" reformation. " An apoftate may be a man en- ? 
lightened, Heb. iv. 4.; and a Felix tremble under 
convi&ion, A8s xxiv. 25.; and a Herod amend 
many things, Mark vi. 20. It is one thing to have \ \\ 
fin alarmed only by convictions, and another to !j , 
have it captivated and crucified by converting 
grace. Many, becaufe they have been troubled 
in confcience for their fins, think well of their [ r 
cafe, miferably miftaking Conviftion for Converjioni{ \. 
With thefe, Cain might have parled for a convert,, a 
who ran up and down the world like a man di£ * 
traded, under the rage of a guilty confcience, till 
with building and bufinefs he had worn it away, u 
Gen. iv. 13, 14. Others think, that becaufe they // 
have given over their riotous courfes, and are v 
broken off from evil company, or fome particular | 
luft, and reduced to fobriety and civility, they are r[ 
now no other than real converts; forgetting that 
there is a vaft difference between being fandified ■ 
and civilized; and that M many feek to enter into? [ 
« 6 the kingdom of heaven, " Lukexm. 24, " and 
" are not far from it,'* Mark xii. 34. and arrive to t 
the almofi of Chriftianity, dfts. xxvl. 28. and yel 
fall ftiort at laft. While confcience holds the whir, , 
over them ; many will pray, hear, read, and for* 



i 



l akes about Con<verJion* 



I bear their delightful lins: but no fooner is the Hon 
lafleep, but they are at their vomit again. Who 
, more religious than the Jews, when God's hand 
was upon them? PfaL Ixxviii. 34, 35. yet no fooner 
was the affliction over, but they forgot God, and 
fhowed their religion to be a fit, ver. 36, 37. 
Thou mayeft have difgorged a troublefome fin* 
j that will not fit eafy on thy ftomach, and have 
I efcaped thofe grofs pollutions of the world, and 
ij yet not have changed thy fwinifh nature all the 
\ while, 2 Pet. 20, 22. 

' You may caft the lead out of the rude mafs into 
the^rnore comely proportion of a plant, and then 

j into the ifcape of a beaft, and thence into the form 
and features of a man ; yet all the while it is but 
lead ftill: So a man may pafs through divers tranf- 
routations, from ignorance to knowledge, from pro- 

! fanenefs to civility, thence to a form of religiorifli 
and all this while he is but carnal and unregenerate^ 
whilil his nature remains unchanged* 

Application. <s Hear then, O finners I 
tc hear as you would live, fo come and hear." 
If a. tor'. 3. Why would you fo willingly deceive 
yourfelves, or build your hopes upon the fand£ 
I know he fhall find hard work of it, that goes to 
pluck away your hopes: it cannot but be ungrate- 
ful to you, and truly it is not pleafing to me. I 
fet about it as a furgeon, when to cut off a putri- 
fied member from his well-beloved friend, which 
of force he muft do, though with an aching heart, 
a pitiful eye, and a trembling hand. But under- 
ftand me, Brethren, I am only taking down the- 
ruinous houfe, (which will otherwife fpeedily fali 



14 Mijiakes about Converjiffm 



' of itfelf, and bury you in the rubbifh) that 1 may 
build it fair, firm, and ftrong for ever. ** The 
" hope of the hypocrite fhall perifh," Prov. xi. 7. 
if God be true to his word. And hadft thou not 
better, O finner! to let the world convince thee 
now in time, and let go thy falfe and felf-dduding- 
hopes, than have death too late to open thine eyes, 
and find thyfelf in hell before thou art aware ? 
I mould be a falfe and faithlefs mepherd, if I 
mould not tell you, that you, who have built your 
hopes upon no better grounds than thefe before- 
mentioned, are yet in your fins. Let your con- 
fcience fpeak: What is that you have to plead 
for yourfelves? Is it that you wear Chrift's livery? 
that you bear his name?" that you are of the via- 
ble church? that you have knowledge in the points 
of religion, are civilized, perform religious duties,, 
a^juft in your dealings, fcave been troubled in 
confcience for your fins? I tell you from the Lord, 
thefe pleas will never be accepted at God's bar: 
All this, though good in itfelf, will not prove you 
converted, and fo will not fuffice to your falvation. 
Ol look about ye, and bethink yourfelves of turn- 
ing fpeediiy and foundly. Set to praying and to 
reading, and fludying your own hearts, reft not 
till God hath made thorough work with you, for 
ye muft be ether men, or elfe ye are loll me.p. 

But if thefe be fhou of converiion, what fhall 
I fay of the profane finner? It may be, he will 
fcarce caii his eye, or lend his ear to this difcourfe; 
but if there be any fuch reading, or within hear- 
ing, he muft know from the Lord that made him, 
that he is far from the kingdom of God. May a 
man be civilized, and not converted? where then 



Miflakes about Conner/ten. 15 



fhall the drunkard and the glutton appear? May a 
man keep company with the wife virgins, and yet 
be ihuc out; fhalfnot " a companion of fools much 
41 more be deilroyed?" Prov* xiii. 20. May a 
man be true and juft in his dealings; and yet not 
be juiiified of Go&t what then will become of thee, 
O wretched man! whofe conference tells thee thou 
art falfe in thy trade, and faHe of thy word, and 
makeft thy advantage by a lying tongue? If men 
may be enlightened, and brought to the perform- 
ance of holy duties, and yet go down to perdition 
for refting in them, and fitting down on this fide 
of conversion; what will become of you, O mise- 
rable families ! that live without God in the 
world? and of you, O wretched finners ! with 
whom God is fcarce in all your thoughts ; that are 
fo ignorant that you cannot, or fo carelefs, that 
you will not pray ? O repent and be converted ; 
*' break off your fins by righteoufnefs;" away to 
Chrift for pardoning and renewing grace ; give 
! up yourfelves to him, to walk with him in holi- 
nefs, or elfe you fhall never fee God. O that you 
would take the warnings of God ! In his name I 
once more admonifh you: " Turn you at my re- 
" proof," Prov. i. 23. " Forfake the fool i(h, and 
«' live," Prov. Ix. 6, Be fober, righteous, godly, 5 * 
Tit. ii. 12. ** Wafti your hands, ye finners; pu- 
V rify your hearts, ye double-minded," James 
iv. 8. " Ceafe to do evil; learn to do well," 
Ifa. i. 16, 17. <* But if you will go on, you mull 
die," Ezek. xxxiii. 11. 

B 4 



I 6 The Nature of Ccnverfion* 

chap, m 

Showing pojttively what conversion te. 

I May not leave you with your eyes half open, a& 
he that " faw men as trees walking," Mark I 
vii. 24. The word is " profitable for doclrine, 
*' as well as reproof, 5 ' 2 Tim. iii. 15. And there- 
fore, having thus far conduced you by the fhelves 
and rocks of fo many dangerous miftakes* I would 
guide you at length to the harbour of truth. 

Converfion then, in Ihort, lies in the thorough 
change both of the heart and life 5 I fhall briefly 
defcribe it in its nature and caufes. 

1. " The Author is the fpirit of God," and 
therefore, it is called " the fandification of the 
" Spirit," 2 Theffl ii. 13. and ** the renewing of 
*< the Holy Gholl," Tit. iii. 5.; yet not excluding 
the other perfons in the Trinity: For the Apoftle 
teacheth us to blefs " the Father of our Lord j 
" JefusChrift, for that he hath begotten us again." 
1 Pet. i. 3*; " and Chrift is faid to give repent- 
" ance unto Ifrael," Ads v. 31, and is called 
" the Everlafting Father," I/a. ix. 6. and we his 
feed, and " the children which God hath given 
« him," ii. 13.. jfy. Hii. 10. O bleffed birth! 
the whole Trinity fathers the new creature: Yet 
this work is principally afcribed to the Holy Ghoft, 
and fo we are faid to be " born of the Spirit," 
John iii. 8. 

So then it is a work above a man's power: " We 
'* are born, not of the will of rleih, nor of the 
" will of man, but of God," John i. 13. Never 



I 

Tbe Nature of Converfon* 1 7 

j think thou canfl convert thyfelf; if ever thou 
wouldeft be favingly converted, thou muft defpair 
of doing it in thy own ftrength. It is a refur- 
reclion from the dead, Rev. xx. 5. Epb. ii. I.; a 
new creation, GaL vi. 15. Epb. ii. 10. ; a work 
of abfolute Omnipotence, Epb. i, 19. Are thefe 
out of the reach of human power? If thou haft no 

I more than thou hadft by thy 6rft- birth, a good na- 
ture, a meek and chafte temper, &c. thou art a very 

I flranger to true conversion: This is a fupernaturai 

1 work, 

2. " The moving caufe is internal or external* 
** The internal mover is only free grace." Not 
j u by works of righteoufnefs which we have done, 
j li but of his own mercy he faved us, and by the 
*' renewing of the Koly Gho'ft," Titus iii. 5. 
"Of his own wiil begat be us," James \. 18. We 
! are chofen and called, unta fanclificavlon, not for it, 
Epb. i. 4. How affectionately doth Peter lift up 
his hands! " RlelTed be the God and Father of our 
14 Lord Jefus, who of his abundant mercy hath 
" begotten us again," 1 Pet. i. 3. How feeling- 
ly doth Paul^magnify the free mercy of God in it ! 
*' God who is rich in mercy, for his great love 
€t wherewith he loved us, hath quickened us to- 
" gethier with Chrilt 3 by grace ye are faved,'* 
Epb. !t. 4, 5. 

*'* The external mover is the merit and inter- 
" ceflion of the bleffed Jefus."' " He hath ob- 
** tained gifts for the rebellious," Pfalm Jxviii. 18.; 
and through him it is that God worketh in us whac 
is well-pleafing in his fight, Heb. xiii. 21. Thro* 
him are all fpimuai b'le'flings bellowed upon us in 



fhe Nature of Converfim. 



heavenly things, Eph. i. 3. He interceded for the 1 
eled that believed not, John xvii. 2Q. Every 
convert is the fruit of his travail, I/a. liii. 11. Q 
never was infant born into the world with that dif- 
ficulty that Chrift endured for us! How enipha- I 
tieally he groaneth in his travaii! all the pains 
that he fuffereth on his crofs, they were our birth- 
pains, Ads ii. 24. flhvxu the pulls and throws 
that Chriil endured for us. He is made fan&ifi- -j 
cation to us. 1 Cor. L 30. He fandihed himfelf, 
(that ia^fet apart himfelf as a facriiice) that we ; 
may be {Inclined, John xvii. 19. " We are fane- 1 
" tified, through the offering of his body once for 
« all," Heb, x. io. 

3. " The inftrument is either perfenal or real," . 
't'he perianal is the miniflry. " I have begotten 
*' you in Chriil, through thegofpel," 1 Cor. iv. 15. 
Chnii's minifiers are they that are fent to open 
men's eyes, and to turn them to God, Acts xxvi, i8". 

" The inftrument real is the word." We were 
begotten by the word of truth ; this is it that en* 
lightens the eye> that converteth the foul, Pjalrn 
xix, 7, 8.; that maketh wife to falvation, z Tim. 
lii. icf. This is. the incorruptible feed, by which 
we are born again, 1 Pet, i. 23. If we a^e 
wafhed, it is by the word, Eph. 20, If we are 1 
fanctified, it is through the truth, John xvii. 17. 
This generates faith, and regenerates us> Rem. x. 17. 1 
James i. 1 8. 

O ye faints, how fnould ye love the word! for 
by this ye have been converted. O ye finners* 
how fliould you ply the word I for by this you 
mull be converted ; no other ordinary means bur 
this. You that have felt its renewing power* 



The Nature of Conwrfion* 1 9 

i make much of it while you live, be for ever thank- 
' ful for it; tie it about your necks, write it upon, 
your hands, lay it in your bofoms, Pro<v> vi. zi % 
22. When you go, let it lead you 5 when you 
ileep, let it keep you; when you awake, let it talk 
) with you. Say with holy David, " I will never 
€t forget thy precepts, for with them thou hail 
1 ** quickened me," Pfalm cxix. oj. You that are 
j unconverted, read the word with diligence, flock to 
i it where powerfully preached \ fill the porches as 
, the multitude of the impotent, blind, halt, wither- 
1 td, waiting for the moving of the water, John 
v. 3. Pray for the coming of the Spirit in the 
word: Come off thy knees to the fermon, and 
come to thy knees from the fermon : The feed 
doth not profper, becauft not watered by prayers 
and tears, nor covered my meditation, 
i 4. u The final caufe is man's falvation, and 
" God's glory." We are chofen through fandli- 
fication to falvation, ztfhejf. ii. 13.; called, that 
we might be glorified, Rom* viii. 30.; but efpe- 
cially that God might be glorified, I/a. lx. 21. 
that we mould mow forth his praife, 1 Pet. ii. 9- 
and be fruitful in good works, CgL i. 10. O 
Chriftian ! do not forget the end of thy calling; 
let thy light mine, Mat, v. 16. let thy lamp burn, 
let thy fruits be good, and many, and in feafon, 
Pfalm i. 3, let all thy defigns fall in God's, that 
he may be magnified in thee, PbiL i. 10. 

5, M The fubjedt is the elect finner, and that in 
46 all his parts and powers, members and mind." 
Converlion is no repairing of the old building ; 
but it takes all down, and erecls a new flructure : 
It is not the putting in a patch, or fevving oa a 



20 The Nature of Converfion* 

lift of holinefs, but, with the true convert, holinefs J 
is woven into all his powers, principles, and prac-; 
tice, The fincere Chriftian is quite a new fabric, 1 
from the foundation to the top-ftone all new. HeJ 
is a new man, Epb. iv. 24, a new creature. " All, 
" things are become new," 2 Cor, v. 17. Conver-, 
iion is a deep work, a heart-work, Ads ii. 37. and[ 
vi. 14.; it turns all upfidedown, and makes a man. 
be in a new world. It goes throughout with men; 
throughout the mind, throughout the members,, 
throughout the motions of the whole life. > 

I. Throughout the mind." It makes an uni«, 
verfal change within. Firft, it turns the balance^ 
of the judgment, fo that God and his glory do, 
weigh down all carnal and worldly intereft, Afls { 
xx. 24.— -Phil, i. 20. — PfaL Ixxiii. 25. It opens 
the eye of the mind, and makes the fcales of itsj 
native ignorance to fall off, and *' turns men from 
** darknefs to light," Ails xxvi. 18. Epb. iii. 8. 
I Pet. ii. 2. The man that before faw no danger; 
in his condition, now concludes himfeif loft, and!, 
for ever undone, Atts ii. 37. except renewed by' 
the power of grace. He that formerly thought! 
there was little hurt in fin, new comes to fee it to| 
be the chief of evils : He fees the unreafonabienefs,^ 
the unrighteoufnefs, the deformity, and fjlthinefa 
that is in fin; fo that he is affrighted with it, lothes^ 
it, dreads it, flies it, and even abhors himfeif foYjj 
it, Rom. Mi. 18. Job. xlii. 6. EzeL xxxvi. 31. 

Now, according to this new light, the man is, 
of another mind, another judgment than before he^ 
was: now God is all with him, he hath none " in r 
" heaven or on earth like him," PfaL Ixxiii. 25. 
He prefers him truly before all the world : his 



The Nature erf Gotpverft&n* 1 1 

I 

| favour in his life; the light of his countenance is 
I more than corn, or wine and oil, the good that 
; formerly he inquired after, and fet his heart upon, 
P/alm iv. 6, 7. This is the convert's voice; 
*< The Lord is my portion, faith my foul : Whom 
4t have I in heaven, but thee? and there is none 
" upon earth that I defire betides thee. God is 
*< the ftrength of my heart, and my portion for 
j * c ever," P/alm Ixxiii. 25, 26. Lam, iii. 24. 
j Secondly, €C It turns the bias of the will, both 
' ** as to means and end." i. " The intentions of 
i " the will are altered," Ezek. xxxvi. 26. Jer* 
\ xxvi. 33. 1/aiahxxvu 8, 9. Now the man hath 
new ends and deligns : Now he attends God above 
all, and deli res and defigns nothing in all the world 
fo much, as that Chrift may be magnified in him* 
Phil. i. 20. He counts himfelf more happy in this, 
j than in all that the earth could yield, that he may 
! be ferviceable to Chrift, and bring him glory in his 
j generation. This is the mark he aims at, that the 
name of Jefus may be great in the world; and that 
all the Iheaves of his brethren may bow to his fheaf, 
Gen. xxxvii. 7. 

Reader, doft thou view this, and never afk thy- 
felf, whether it be thus with thee ? Paufe a while, 
and breathe on this great concernment. 

2. **■ The ele&ion is alfo changed," fo that he 
choofeth another way, P/alm cxix. 15, He pitch- 
eth upon God as his bleffednefs, and upon Chrift 
as the principle and holinefs, as the fubordinate 
means to bring him to God, John xiv. 6. Rom. ii. 7* 
He choofeth JefuS for his Lord, Col. ii. 6. He is 
not merely forced into Chrift by the ftorm, nor 
doth he take Chrift for bare neceffity; but he 



22 The Nature of Ccnwrfan* 

*\ f 

deliberately refolves that Chrifl is his beft choice, : 
Pbil.i. 23. ; and would rather have him to choofe ] [ ri 
than all the good of this world, might he enjoy it t i 
while he would. .Again,. He takes hoiinefs for 
his path : he doth not of mere neceffity fubmit to- 1 
it, but he likes and loves it: " I have chofen the, ; 
*' way of thy precepts,'' Pfal. cxix. 173. He takes, 
God's teftimonies, not as his bondage, but as hisj 
heritage, yea, heritage for ever, <ver. in. He 
counts them not his burden, but his blifs; not his;; 
cords, but his cordials, 1 John v. 3. Pfal cxix. ; 
14, 16, 17. He doth not only bear, buttakes up 
Chriit's yoke. • He takes not hoiinefs as the rtc« 
mach doth the lothed potion, which it will down 
with rather than die, but as the hungry doth his 
beloved food. No time pafTeth fo fweetly with 
him (when he is himfelf) as that he fpends in the! 
exercifes of hoiinefs ; thefe are both his aliment, 
anal element, the defire of his eyes, and the joy oi 
his heart, Job xxiii. 12. PfaL cxix. 82, 151, 162, 
174, and IxiiL 5. Put thy confcience to it as : 
thou goeft, whether thou art the man : O happy 
man, if this be thy cafe! But fee thou be thorough 
and impartial in the fearch. 

Thirdly, " It turns the bent of the afFeclions," 
2 Cor. vif. II. Thefe run.all in a new channel 5 
the Jordan is driven back, and the water runs up- 
ward, againft its natural courfe. 

Chriit is his hope, \ Tlrn. i. I. this is his prize, 
PkiU iii. o ; here his eye is, here his heart is. He 
is contented to call all overboard (as the mer- 
chant in the ftorm ready to perilh) fo he .may but 
keep this jewel. 

The firft of his defire* is not after gold, but 



I IF ■ ■ - v >■ • 

J ; The Nature of Conner Jton* 23 

'grace, PhiL in; 12. He hungers after it, he feeks 
Mac as filver, he digs for it as hid treafure ; be 
'had rather be gracious . than be great; he had 
j rather be the holieit. man on earth, than the moil 
(learned, the moil famous, the moil profperous. - 
1 While carnal, he faid, O 1 if I were but in great 
; efteem, and rolled in wealth, and fwimmed in 
pleafufe; if rny debts were paid, and I and mine 
provided for, then I were a happy man. But now 
the tone is changed: O ! faith the convert, if I 
j had but my corruptions fubdued, if I had fuch 
I mesfures of grace, fuch feilowfnip with God, tho* 
|j I were poor and defpifed, I Ihould not Care, I 
1 fhould account myfelf a bleffed man. Reader, is 
this the language of thy foni ? 

His joys are changed. He rejoiceth in the ways 
I of God's teftimonies, as much as in all riches, 
: Pfalm. cxix 14, He " delights in the law of the 
" Lord he hath no fuch joy as in the thoughts of 
Chriir, the fruition of his company, the profperity 
of his people. 

His cares are quite altered, he was once let for 
the world, and any fcraps of bye-time were enough 
for his foul. Now he gives over caring for the 
" afTes," and fets his heart on the kingdom : now 
all the cry is, " What (hall 1 do to be faved V* 
Acts xvi. 30, His great follcitude is how to fecure^ 
his foul: O, how he would Llefs you, if you could, 
put him one of doubt of this ! 

His fears take another turn, Heh. xi. 25, 27. 
Once he was afraid of nothing lb much as the lofs 
of his eilate or efteerr;, the pleafure of friends, or 
the frowns of the great; nothing founded fo terri- 
ble to him, as pain, or poverty or difgrace : now 



24 



*The Nature of Converfon- 



thefe are little to him, in companion of God*s 
difhonour or difpleafure. How wanly doth he 
walk, left he fnould tread upon a fnare \ JJefearetri 
always, he looks before and behind; he Hath his 
eye upon his heart, and is often calling it over his 
ihoulder, left he fhould be overtaken with fin, 
Pjalm xxxix. I. Prov. xxviii. 14. Ecclef. ii. 14. 
It kills his heart to think of Jofing God's favour, 
this he dreads as his only undoing, li. 11, 12. 
and cxix. 8. No thought in the world doth pinch 
him and pain him fo much, as to think of parting 
with Chrift. 

His love runs a new courfe. < 6 My love was 
" crucified," faith Ignatius; that is, my Chrift. 
•* This is my beloved," faith the fpoufe, Cant. v. 
16. How doth Auguftine often pour out his love 
upon Chrift? " O eternal blefTednefs," &c. — He 
can find no words fweet enough: " Let me fee 
*' thee, O light of mine eyes! Come, O thou joy 
** of my fpirit. Let me behold the, O life of my 
€i foull Appear unto me, O my great deiight, my 
*' fweet comfort! O my God, my life, and the 
M whole glory of my foul. Let me find thee, O 
** defire of my heart. Let me hold thee, O love 
* 6 of my foul. Let me embrace thee, O heavenly 
" bridegroom. Let me poitefs thee!" 

His forrcws have now a new vent, 2 Cor. vii. 9. 
10. The views of his fins, the fight of a Chriil cru- 
dried, that would fcarce ftir him before, now how 
much do they affect his heart! 

His hatred boils, his anger burns again ft fin, 
P/alm cxix. 104. He hath no patience with him- 
jfelf; he calls himfelf fool, and thinks any name 
too good for himfelf, when his indignation is ftir- 
ied up againii fin, Pfulm ixxiii. 22* Prov* xxx» z. 



*the Nature of Converfon* 



2 S 



gl Commune with thine own heart, " and attend 
the common and general current of thine affection, 
whether it be towards God in Chrift, above all 
other concernments. Indeed, fudden and ftrong 
commotions of the affections and fenfitive parts, 
are often found in hypocrites, efpecially where 
the natural inclination leads thereunto: and con- 
trarywife, the fanctified themfelves are many times 
without fenfible ftirring of the affections, where 
the temper is more flow, dry, and dull. The 
great inquiry is, whether the judgment and will 
be fteadily determined for God, above all other 
good, real or apparent : and if the affections do 
fincerely follow their choice and conduct, though it 
be not fo ftrongly and fenfibly as is to be defired, 
there is no doubt but the change is faving. 

2. " Throughout the members. " Thofe that 
were before the inftruments of lin, are now be- 
come the holy utenfils of Chrift's living temple, 
Rom. vi. 16. 1 Cor. iii. 16. The eye, that was 
once a wandering eye, a wanton eye, a haughty 
and covetous eye, is now employed, as Mary's, 
in weeping over its fins, Luke vii. 38. in behold- 
ing God in his works, Pfalm viii. 3. in reading 
his word, Atts viii. 30. in looking up and down 
for objects of mercy, and opportunities for his fer- 
vice. 

The ear, that was once open to Satan's call, 
and that, like a vitiated palate, did reliih nothing, 
fo much as filth, or at leaft, frothy talk, and the 
fool's laughter, is now bored to the doer of 
Chrift's houfe, and open to his difciplirie : It faith 
4# Speak, Lord, for thy fervant heareth $" and 
C 



26 



The Nature of Cowverfton. 



waits for his words as the rain, and relifheth them 
mote than the appointed food, Job xxxiii. 12. 
" than the honey and the honey-comb," Pfalm 
xix. 10. 

The bead, that was the fhop of worldly defigns, 
is now filled with other matters, and fet on the 
fludy of God's will, Pfalm i. 2, and cxix. 97. — 
The thoughts and cares that fill it, are principally 
how he may pleafe God, and flee fin. 

His heart, that was full of filthy lulls, is now I 
become an alter of incenfe, where the fire of divine 
love is ever kept in ; and whence the daily facri- 
fke of prayer and praife, and the fweet incenfe of 
holy defire, ejaculations, and afpirations, are con- 
tinually afcending, Pfalm evil. 1. and cxix. 20, and 
exxxix. 17, 18. 

The mouth is become a well of life, his tongue as 
choice filver, and his lips feed many, now the fait 
ef grace hath feafoned his fpeech, and eat out the 
corruption, CoL iv, 6. and cleanfed the mouth 
from its filthy communication, flattery, boafting, 
lying, fwearing, back-biting, that once came like 
fiafliss from the hell that wasiin the heart, James 
iii. 6, 7. 

The throat, that was once " an open fepulchre,'* 
Horn* iii. 13. now fends forth theMweet breath of 
prayer and holy difcourfe, and the man fpeaks in 
another tongue, in the language of Canaan and is 
never fo well as when talking of God and Chrift, 
and the matters of another world. His mouth 
bringeth wifdom, his tongue is beifome the filver 
trumpet of his Maker's praife, his glory, and the 1 
belt member that he hath. 



The Nature of Converfon. 27 



Now here you (hall have the hypocrite halting : 
He fpeaks, it may be, like an angel, but he hath a 
, covetous eye, or the gain of unrighteoufnefs in his 
I hand; or the hand is white, but the heart is full of 
! rottennefs, Mat, xxiii. 27.; full of unmortified 
cares, a very oven of lull, a fhop of pride, the 
feat of malice. It may be, with Nebucnadnez- 
zar's image, he hath a golden head, a great deal 
, of knowledge; but he hath feet of clay, his afFec- 
I dons are worldly, he minds earthly things, and 
I his way and walk are fenfual and carnal: you may 
; trace him in his fecret haunts, and his footfieps will 
be found in fome bye-paths of fin; the work is not 
throughout with him. 

3. " Throughout the motions, or the life and 
" practice*" The new man takes a new courfe, 
Eph. ii. 2, 3. " His converfation is in heaven,'* 
Phil, iii. 20. No fooner doth Chrift call by effec- 
tual grace, but he flraightway becomes a follower 
of him, Mat. iv, 20. When God hath given the 
new heart, and wrote his law in his mind, he forth- 
with walks in his rlatutes, and keeps his judgments, 
Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27. 

Though fin may be in him, yet it " hath no 
" more dominion over him, " Rom. vi. '7, 14. 
"he hath his fruit unto holinefs," chap. vi. 22. 
And though he makes many a blot, yet the law of 
life, and jefus, is what he eyes as his copy, Pfalm 
cxix. 30. Heb. xii. 2. ; and he hath an unfeigned 
reipedl to all God's commandments, making con*- 
4 fcience even of litdeiins and little duties, Pfalm 
cxix. 1 13. His very infirmities are his fours bur- 
den? and are like the dull in a man's eye, whick 



The Nature of ConvtrJiBn* 



though but little, yet is not a little troublefome. 
(O man! doft thou read this, and never turn 
in upon thy foul by felf- examination ?) the fin- 
cer convert is not one man at church, and ano- 
ther at home; he is not a faint on his knees, and 
% c^eat in his (hop ; he will not tithe mint and 
cummin, and neglect ** mercy and judgment, and 
4i weightier matters of the law he doth not 
pretend piety, and neglect morality, Mat. xxiii. ( 
14. but he turneth from all his fins, and keeps all 
GodY ftatutes, Ezek. xviii. 21. though not per- 
fectly, except in defire and endeavour, yet fin- s 
cerely; not alk wing himfelf in she breach of any, 
Rom. vii. 15 Now he delights in the word, and 
fets himfelf ro prayer, and opens his hand, and 
draws out his foul to the hungry, Rom. vii. 22. 
Pfalm cix. 4. Ija Iviii. 10. " He breaketh off 
* c his fins by righteoufnefs, and his iniquities by 
" ftiowing mercy to the poor," Daniel iv. 27. and 
" hath a good confidence, willing in all things 
" to live honeftly," Heb. xiii. 18. and to keep 
without offence towards God and man. 

Here again you find the unfoundnefs of many 
profeffors, that take themfelves for good Chri- 
ftians. They are partial in the law, MaL ii. 9. and 
take up with the chief and eafy duties of religion, 
but go not through with the work: They are as a 
cake not turned It may be you lhall have them 
exact in their words, punctual in their dealings, 
but then they do not exercife themfelves unto god- 
lineis ; and for examining themfelves, and go- 
verning their hearts, to this they are Grangers. 
You may have them duly at church, but follow 
them to their families, and there you lhall fee lit-*- 



fThe Nature of Converjicn, 



tie but the world minded; or if they have a road 
for family duties, follow them to their clcfets, and 
there you ihall find their fouls are little looked after. 
It may be they fee m otherwife religious, but bri- 
dle not their tongues, and to all their religion is 
vain, James i. 26. It may be they come up to 
clofet and family prayer; but follow them to their 
fhops, and there you mail find them in a trade of 
lying, or fome covert and cleanly way of deceit. 
Thus the hypocrite goes throughout in the courfe 
of his obedience.- — And > thus much for the fubjed 
of Converfion. 

6. " The terms are either from <wbich> or to 
*< which." 

1. M The terms from which we turn in this mo- 

tion of Converfion, are fin, Satan, the world, 

and our own righteoufnefs." 

Firft, Sin, When a man is converted, he is for 
ever out with fin ; yea, with all fin, Pfalm cxix. 
128. But moft of all with his own fins, and efpe- 
cially with his bofom fin, Pfalm xviii. 23. Sia 
is now the butt of his indignation, 2 Cor. vii. 11. 
thirds to bathe his hands in the blood of his fins. 
His fins fet his forrows abroach: It is fin that 
pierces him and wounds him: he feels it Hke a 
thorn in his fide, like a prick in his eye ; he groans 
and ftruggles under it, and not formally, but feel- 
ingly cries out, O wretched man / He is not impa- 
tient of any burden fo much as of his fin, Pfalm xl. 
12. If God fhouldgive him his choice, he would 
choofe any affliction, fo he might be rid of fin : he 
feels it like the cutting gravel in his fhoes* pricking 
and paining him as he goes. 

C 3 



jo The Nature of Ccnverfion. 

Before converfion he had light thoughts of fin; 
he cherimed it in his bofom, as Uriah his lamfch; 
f 1 he nouriflied it up, and it grew up together with 
44 him; it did eat, as it were of his own meat, and 
" drank of his own cup, and lay in his bofom, and 
" was unto him as a daughter." But when God 
opens his eyes by converfion, he throws it away 
with abhorrence, I/a. xxx. 22. When a man is 
favingly changed, he is not only deeply convinced 
of the danger, but defilement of fin ; and O, how 
earneft is he with God to be purified ! He lothes 
himfelf for his fins, E%ek. xxxvi. 31. He runs to 
Chrilt, and " cafts himfelf into the fountain for fin 
" and for uncleannefs," Zach. xiii. 1. 

The found convert is heartily engaged againft 
fin, he ftruggles with it, he wars againfts it; he is 
too often foiled, but he will never yield the caufe, 
nor lay down his weapons, but he will up and to it 
again, while he ha& breath in his body. He can 
forgive his other enemies, he can pity them, and 
pray for them, A3s vii. 6c; but here he is im- 
placable, here he is fet upon revenge: his eye mail 
not pity, his hand mall not fpare, though it be a 
right hand or a right eye. Be it a gainful fin, 
moil delightful to his nature, or fupport to his ef- 
teem with carnal friends, yet he will rather throw 
away his gain, fee his credit fall, or the flower of 
pleafure wither in his hand, than he will allow him- 
felf in any known way of fin, Luke xix. 8. He 
will grant no indulgence, he will give no toleration, 
he draws upon fin wherever he meets it, and frowns 
upon it with this unwelcome falute, " Have I found 
4t thee, O mine enemy I" 

Reader, hath confcience been at work whilfi: 
thou halt teen looking over thefe lines r Haft thoa 



The Nature of Conwrfoni & \ 

pondered thefe things in thy heart? Haft thou 
fearched the book within, to fee if tbefe things be 
fo? If not, read it again, and make thy conicience 
fpeak, whether or no it be thus with thee. 

Haft thou " crucified thy fiefti with its affe&ions 
*' and hifts;" and not only conrefted, but forfakea 
thy (ins ? AH fin in thy fervent defires, and the or- 
dinary pra&ice of every deliberate and wilful fin ia 
thy life ? If not, thou art yet unconverted. 

Secondly, Satan. Converfion •« binds the ftrong 
" man, fpoils him of his armour, cafts out his 
tf< goods, and turns men from the power of Satan 
" unto God," Atls xxvi. 18. Before, the devil 
could no fooner hold up his finger to the finner, to 
call him to his wicked company, finful games, fil- 
thy delights, but prefently he followed, '* like an 
*' ox to the flaughter, and a fool to the correction 
" of the ftocks; as a bird that hafteth to the prey, 
" and knoweth not that it is for its life." But 
when he is converted, he ferves another mailer, 
and takes quite another courfe, i Pet. iv. 4.; he 
goes and comes at Chrift's beck, CoL iii. 24- 
Satan may fometimes catch his foot in a trap, but 
he will no longer be a willing captive ; He watches 
againft the fnares and baits of 6atan, and ftudies 
to be acquainted with his devices : H« is very 
fufpkious of his plots, and is very jealous in what 
comes athwart him, left Satan mould have fome 
defign upon him : He "wreftles agaipft principa- 
" lities and powers," Epb. vi. 12. he entertains 
the mefTenger of Satan as men do the meflenger of 
death ; he keeps his eye upon his enemy, 1 Pet.. 
v. 8.^nd watches in his duties, left §a{an flioulA 
put in his foot. 



3* 



^The Isaiure of Converfon. 



Thirdly, the world. Before a found faith a 
man is overcome of the world ; either he bows 
down to Mammon, or idolizes his reputation, or 
is a f* lover of pleafure, more than a lover of 
* ( God/' 2 Tim. iii. 4, Here is the root of man's 
mifery by the fall, he is turned aftde to the crea- 
ture infiead of God, and gives that efteem, confi- 
dence, and affection to the creatffre, that is due to 
Jiim alone, Rom. i. 25. Mat. x. 37. Frov. xviii. 
a 1. Jer. xvii. 5. 

But converting grace fets all in order again, 
and puts God on the throne, and the world at his 
footftool, Ffalm Ixxiii. 25. Chrift in the heart, 

and the world under his feet, 55 Epb. ii. 17. Rev. 
xii. 1. So Paul, " I am crucified to the - world, 
** and the world to me, 5 ' Gal. \i. 14. Before this 
change, all the cry was, " Who will fhow us any 
** worldly good ?" But now he fings another tune, 
** Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance 
" upon me," and let who will take the corn and 
wine, Ffalm iv. 6, 7. Before, his heart's delight 
and content was in the world ; then the fong was, 
*< Soul, take thine cafe ; eat, drink, and be merry; 
* £ thou hall much goods laid up for many years :" 
But now all this is withered, and " there is no 
** comeKneis that he mould defire it; 53 and he 
tunes up with the fvveet Pfalmiit of Ifrael, ** The 
*' Lord is the portion of my inheritance : The lines 
** are fallen to me in a fair place, and I have a 
<c goodly heritage." He blelTeih himfelf, and 
boaileth himfelf in God, Ffalm xxxiv. 2. Lam. 
iii . 24.; nothing elfe can give him content. He 
: Bath written ^vanity and vexation upon all his worldly 
enjoyments, EccU i. 2.; and /of and dung upon 



The Nature of Converfion 33 



all human excellencies, Phil Iti. 7, 8. ^ He hath 
Efe and immortality now in chafe, Rom. ii. 7. -- 
He purfues grace and glory, and hath an incor- 
XHiptible crown in purfuit, 1 Cor. ix. 25. His 
heart is fet in him Co feek the Lord, 1 Chron. xxiu 
19. and z Chron xv. 15 He " firft feeks the 
44 kingdom of heaven and the righteoufnefs there- 
" of;" and religion is no longer a matter by the 
bye with him, but the main of his care, Mat. v'u 
33 Pfalm xxvii. 4. 

Well, then, paufe a little, and look within z 
Doth not this nearly concern thee? Thou pre-' 
tendeft for Chrift, but doth not the world fway 
thee ? Doft not thou take more real delight and 
content in the world than in him ? Doft thou not 
find thyfelf better at eafe when the world goes to 
thy mind, and thou art encompafTed with carnal 
delights, than when retired to prayer and medi- 
tation in the clofet, or attending upon God's word 
and worfliip ? No furer evidence of an unconverted 
Rate, than to have the things of the world upper- 
mo ft in our aim, love, and eftimation, John ii. 1 5. 
James iv. 4. 

With the found convert Chrift hath the fupre- 
xnacy. How dear is his name to him ? How pre- 
cious is his favour ? Cant. 1. 3. P/al. xlv. 8. — 
The name of Jefus is engraven upon his heart, 
Gal. iv, 19. and lies as a bundle of myrrh, be- 
tween his breads, Cant. 1. 13, 14. Honour is but 
air, and laughter but madnefs, and Mammon is 
fallen, like D agon before the ark, with hands 
and head broken off on the threfhold, when once 
Chrift is favingly revealed. Here is the pearl of 
great price to the true convert, here is his trea- 



34 



*rhe Nature of Converfion. 



fure, here his hope, Mat. xiii. 44, 5$. This is 
his glory, " My beloved is mine, and I am his," 
Gal. vi. 14. Cant. ii. 16. O, it is fvveeter to him 
to be able to fay, Chrift is mine, than if he could 
fay, the kingdom is mine, the Indies are mine. 

Fourthly, your t^wn righteoufnefs. Before con- 
version, man feeks to cover himfelf with his own 
£g-Ieaves, PbiL iii. cr, 7. and to make himfelf 
whole with his own duties, Mic. vi. 6, 7, He is 
apt to truft in himfelf, Luke xvi. 15. and xviii. 9. 
and fet up his own righteoufnefs, and to reckon 
his counters for gold, and not fubmit to the righ- 
teoufnefs of God, Rom. x. 3. But converfion 
changes his mind, now he cafts away his own righ- 
teoufnefs as a filthy rag, I/a Ixiv. 6. Now he is 
brought to poverty of fpirit, Mat. v. 3. complains 
of and condemns himfelf, Rom. vii. ; and all his 
inventory is " poor, and miferable, and wretched, 
4i and blind, and naked," Rev. iii. 17. He fees 
tL world of iniquity in his holy things, and calls, 
lis once idolized righteoufnefs but filth and drofs, 
and would not, for a thoufand worlds, be found in 
himfelf, PbiL iii. 4, 7, 8, 9. His finger is ever 
upon his fores, Pfalm \\. 3. his fins, his wants. 
Now he begins to let a high price upon Chriii's 
righteoufnefs; he fees the need of a Chrift in every 
duty, tojurlify both his perfon and performances: 
He cannot live without him, he cannot pray with- 
out him : Chrift muft go with him, or elfe he 
cannof come into the prefence of God ; he leans 
upon the hand of Chrift, and fb bows himfelf in 
the houfe of his'God ; he fets himfelf down for a 
]oft undone man without him; his life is hid and 
grows in Chrift, as the root of a tree fpreads in 



The Nature of Convcrfan* 3 j 

the earth for liability and nutriment. Before, the 
news of Chrift: was a ftale and faplefs thing ; but 
now, how fweet is Chrift ! The voice of the convert 
is, with the martyr, " None but Chrift." 

The terms to which we turn are, 

Firft* To God the Father, Son, and Holy 
Ghoit. 

Secondly* To the laws, ordinances, and ways of 
Chrift. 

A man is never truly fanclified, till his very 
heart be in truth fee upon God above all things, 
as his portion and chief good. Thefe are the na- 
tural breathings of a believer'^ heart. <fi Thoti 
" art my portion," Pfalm cxix. 57. " My fout 
" fhall make her-boaft in the Lord," Pfalm, xxxvu 
2. " My expectation is. from him ; he only is 
*' my rock and my falvation, he is my defence- 
" In God is my falvation and glory; the rock of . 
" my ftrength, and my refuge is in God," Pfalm 
|xii, 1 , 2, 5, 7. and xviii, 1, 2. 

Would you put it to an iiTue, whether you be 
converted or not? Now let thy foul and all that is 
within thee attend. 

Haft thou taken God for thy happinefs ? Where 
doth the content of thy heart lie r Whence doth 
thy choiceft comfort come in? Come then, and 
with Abraham, " lift up thine eyes eaftward and 
" weftward, and northward, and fouthward," and 
caft about thee. What is it thou wouldelt have in 
heaven, or on earth, to make thee happy? If God 
lhould give thee thy choice, as he did to Solo- 
mon, or.fhould fay to thee, as Ahafuerds to Eft- 
her, <£ What is thy petition, and what is thy re- 

queft, and it ihajj be granted to thsci" Efth* v. 



3 6 *The Nature of Corwerjion. 



What wouldeft thou afk? Go into the gardens of 
pleafure, and gather all fragrant flowers from 
thence, would thefe content thee? Go to the trea- 
fures of Mammon, fuppofe thou mighteft lade 
thyfelf as heavy as thou wouldeft from thence : 
Go to the towers, to the trophies of honour; what 
thinkeft thou of being a man of renown, and hav- 
ing a name Bke the name of the great men of the 
earth? Would any of thefe, would all thefe fuffice 
thee, and make thee count thyfelf a happy man ? 
If fo, then certainly thou art carnal and uncon- 
verted. If not, go farther ; wade into the divine 
excellencies, the ftore of his mercies, the hiding 
of his power, the depths unfathomable of his all- 
fufficiency ; doth this fuit thee beft and pleafe thee 
moft? Doft thou fay, "It is good to be here?" 
Matt* xvii. 4. " Here will 1 pitch, here will I 
*' live and die." Wilt thou let all the world go 
rather than this ? Then it is well between God and 
thee. Happy art thou, O man, happy art thou 
that ever thou waft born ; If a God can make thee 
iappy, thou muft needs be happy ; for thou haft 
vouched the Lord to be thy God, Deut. xxvi. 18. 
Doft thou fay to Chrift, as he to us, " Thy father 
** fhali be my father, and thy God be my God ?" 
John xv. 16. Here is the turning point. An un- 
bound profeffor never takes up his reft in God, 
but converting grace does the work, and fo cures 
the fatal milery of the fall, by turning the heart 
from its idol to the living God, 1 Tbeffl i. 9, 
Now, fays the foul, u Lord, whither fhali I go? 
44 Thou haft the words of eternal life, " John vi. 
68. Here it centres, here he fettles: O, it is the 
entrance of heaven to him to fee his intereft in 



^rhe Nature of Conner/ion* $y 

God. When he di fee vers this, he faith, " Retura 
*' unto thy reft, O my foul, for the Lord hath 
" dealt bountifully with thee," P/alm cxvi. 7. 
And is even ready to breathe out Simeon's fong, 
<c Lord, now letteft thou thy fervant depart in 
" peace," Luke ii. 29,; and faith with Jacob, 
when his old heart revived at the welcome tidings, 
* c It is enough/' Gen, xiv. 28. When he feeth he 
hath a God in covenant to go to, " this is all his 
«' falvation, and all his delire/' 2 Sam, xxiii. 5. 

Man, is this thy cafe ? haft thou experienced 
this ? why then " bleffed art thou of the Lord;'* 
God hath been at work with thee, he hath laid hold 
on thy heart by the power of *con verting grace, 
or elfe thou couldeft never have done this. 

The true convert turns to jefus Chrift, the only* 
mediator between God and man, r&. ii. 5. 
His work is to bring us to God, 1 Pet. in. 18. He 
is the way to the Father, John xiv. 6. ; the only plank 
on which we may efcape, the only door by which 
we may enter, John x. 9. as the only means of life, 
as the only way, the only name given under heaven, 
dfts iv, 12. He looks not for falvation in any other 
but him, nor in any other with him; but throws 
himfelf on Chrift alone, as one that fnould caft him- 
felf with arms fpread out upon the fea, 

" Here," faith the convinced {inner, " I will 
" venture; and if I perilh, I perifh ; If I die, I 
*' will die here. But, Lord, fufrer me not to pe- 
" rifti under the pitiful eye of thy mercy.— intreat 
*' me not to leave thee, or to turn away from 
« c following after thee," Ruth i. 16. Here I will 
throw myfelf : if thou kick me, if thou kill me, I 
will not go from thy door, J^xiii. 15, 



38 



The Nature of Conversion* 



Thus the poor foul doth venture on Chrift, and 
yefolvediy adheres to him. Before converfion the 
man made light of Chrift; minded his farm, friends, 
roerchandife, more than Chrift, Mat. xxii. 5.; now 
Chrift is to him as his neceflary food, his daily 
bread, the life of his heart, the ftafF of his life, Gal. 
ii. 20. His great defign is, that Chrift may be 
magnified in him, Phil. i. 20. His heart once faid 
as they to the fpoufe, *' What is thy beloved more 
<c than another r" Cant, v. 9. He found more 
fweetnefs in his merry company, wicked games, 
and earthly delights, rhan in Cnrift, He took re- 
ligion for a fancy, an the talk of great enjoyments 
for an idle dream; but now " to him to live is 

Chrift.'* He fets light by all that he accounted 
precious, " for the excellency of the knowledge of 
«« Chrift," Phil. Hi. 8. 

All of Chrift is accepted by the fincere convert. 
He loves not only the wages, but the work of 
Chrift, Rom. vii. 12.; not only the benefits, but 
the burden of Chrift; he is willing net only to 
tread out the corn, but to draw under the yoke ; 
he takes up the commands of Chrift, yea, and the 
crofs of Chrift, Mat. xi. 7. and xvi. 24. 

The unfound convert clofeth only by halves with 
Chrift; he is all for the fa! vation of Chrift, but 
he is not for fanctification; he is for the privileges, 
but values not the perfon of Chrift. He divides the 
offices and benefits of Chrift. This is ah error 
In the foundation. Who loveth life, let him be- 
ware here; it is an undoing miftake, of which you 
have been often warned, and yet none more com- 
mon, jefus is a fweet name, but men " love not 
*' the Lord Jefus in fincerky," Eph. vi. 24. They 
will not have him as God offers, " to be a prince 



The 'Nature of Conwrfion* 



39 



€t ^and a Saviour, 9 ' dfis.v. 31. They divide what 
God hath joined, the king and the prieft. Yea» 
they will not accept the falvation of Chrift as he in* 
tends it ; they divide it here. Every man's vote* 
is for falvation from fuffeting; but they defire not 
to be faved from finning : They would have their 
lives faved, but withal would have their lufts. Yea, 
many divide here again; they would be content to 
have fame of their lins deftroyed, but they cannot 
leave the lap of Delilah, or divorce the beloved He- 
rodias. They cannot be cruel to the right eye, or 
right hand; the Lord muft pardon them in this 
«< thing," 2 Kings v. 18. 

O be infinitely tender here, your fouls lie upon it. 
The found convert takes a whole Chrift, and takes 
him for all intents and purpofes, without excep- 
tions, without limitations, without referves. He 
is willing to have Chrift upon his own terms, upon 
any terms. He is willing to have the dominion of 
Chrift, as well as deliverance by Chrift. He faith 
with Paul, u Lord, what wilt thou have me to do:" 
AFis ix. 6. any thing, Lord: He fends a blank to» 
Chrift, to fet down his conditions, d&s ii. 37. and 
xvi. 30. 

zdly^ He turns to the laws, ordinances, and ways 
of Chrift. The heart that was once fet again!!: 
thefe, and could not endure the ftri&nefs of thefe 
bonds, the fe verity of thefe ways, now falls in love 
with them, and choofes them as its rule and guide 
for ever, Pfalm cxix. ill, 112. 

Four things, I obferve, God doth work in every 
found convert, with reference to the laws and ways 
of Chrift, by which you come to know your ftate, 
D 2 



40 The Nature of Converficn* 

if you will be faithful to your own fouls; an< 
therefore keep your eyes upon your hearts as yoa 
•go along. 

I ft. m The judgment is brought to approve of 
«' them, and fubfcribe to them as moft righteous 
" and moii reafonahle," Pjalm cxix. 112,1 28, 
*37> l 3%* r -^^ e niind is brought to like the ways 
of God ; and the corrupt prejudices that were 
once againft them, as unreafonable and intolerable, 
are now removed: The underitanding affents to 
them all, as " holy, juft, and good," Rom. vii. 12*. 
How is David taken up with the excellencies of 
God's laws! How doth he expatiate in their praife, 
both from their inherent qualities and admirable 
efFe&s! P/alm xix. 8. — jo, &c. 

2d!y, u The defire of the heart is to know the 
4S whole mind of Chrifl," P/alm cxix. 124, 125. 
169. and xxv. 4, 5. He wouJd not have one fin 
undifcovered, nor be ignorant of one duty required. 
It is the natural and earneil breathing of a iancli- 
fied heart, " Lord, if there be any way of wicked- 
*' nefs in me, do thou difcover it. — What I know 
*' not, teach thou me, and if I have done iniquity, 
fC I will do it no more."— The unfound convert is 
willingly ignorant, 2 Pet. in. 5.; loves not to come 
to the light, John iii. 20. He is willing to keep 
fuch or fuch a fin, and therefore is loth to know 
it to be a fin, and will not Jet in the light at that 
window. Now the gracious heart is willing to 
know the whole latitude and compafs of his Maker's 
law, Pjalm cxix. 18, 19, 27, ^3, 64, 68, 178, 124. 
He receives with all acceptation the word that con- 
vinced him of any duty that he knew not, or 



The Nature of Con^ver/ion, 4 1 

I minded not before, or difcovereth any fin that lay 
hid before, P/alm cxix. 1 1 . 

3dly, " The free and refolved choice of the will 

I " is determined for the ways of Chrift, before all 
f* the pleafures of fin> and profperities of the world," 

j P/alm cxix. 103, 127, 162. His confent is not ex- 
torted by fome extremity of anguilh, nor is it only 

I a fudden and hafty refolve, but he is deliberately 

j purpofed, and comes off freely to the choice, P/aL 
xvii. 3. and cxix. 30. True, the fleih will rebel, 
yet the prevailing part of his will is for Chrift's law 
and government, ib that he takes them not up as 
his toil or burthen, but his blifs, 1 John v. 3. P/aL 
cxix. 60, 72. While the unfandtified go in Chrift's 
ways, as in chains and fetters, he doth it naturally, 
P/aL xl. 8. Jer. xxxi. 33.; and counts Chrift's Jaws 
his liberty, P/alm cxix. 32,45. James i. 25. He is 
willing in the beauties of holinefs, P/aL ex. 3. and 
hath this infeparable mark, " That he had rattoer 
" (if he might have his choice) live in a Ariel and 
" holy life, than the moft profperous and flourilh- 
*' ing life in the world," 1 Sam, x. 26. There 
went with Saul a " band of men whofe hearts God 
*' had touched." When God toucheth the hearts 
of his chofen, they prefently follow Chrift, Mat. 
iv. 22. and (though drawn) do freely run after 
him, Cant. i. 4 and willingly offer themfelves to 
the fervice of the Lord, 2 Clron. xvii. 16. feeking 
him with their whole defire, chap, xv, 1 5. Fear 
hath its ule; but this is not the main fpring of mo- 
tion with a fanctified heart. Chrift keeps not his 
fubjects in by force, but is King of a willing people. 
They are, through his grace, freely refolved for 
his fervice, and do it out of choice, not as flaves* 
D 3 



42 



The Nature of Ccnverjion* 



bet as the Ton or fpoufe, from a fpring of love ami 
a loyal mind. In a word, the laws of Chriil are 
the convert's love, Pfalm cxix. 159, 163, 167. 
Lis defire, <ver. 6, 20, 107. ; his delight, <ver. 77, 
92, 102, in, 143 ; and continual ftudy, <ver. 97, 
99. and P/*/. i. 2. 

4th!y, " The bent of his courfe is dire&ed to 
keep God's tiatuies," PfaL cxix.. 4, 8., 167, 168, 
It is the daily care of his life to walk with God. 
He feeks great things, he hath noble defigns, tho' 
lie falls too ihort. He aims at nothing lefs than 
perfection - 9 he defires it, he reaches after it; he 
would not reft in any pitch of grace till he were 
quite rid of fin, and had perfected holinefs, Phil. 
aii. ii. 14. 

Here the hypocrite's rottennefs may be difco- 
vered. He defires holinefs, as one well faid, only 
as a bridge to heaven, and inquires earnefiiy what 
is the leaft that will ferve his turn ; and if he can 
get but fo much as may bring him to heaven, this 
is all he cares for. But the found convert defires 
holinefs for holinefs' fake, P/al. cxix. 97.^//?/. v. 6. 
and not only for heaven's fake. Pie would mot be 
fatisfied with as much as might fave birr, from hell, 
but defires the higheft pitch: Yet defines are nr-t 
enough: What is thy way and thy courfe? Is the 
drift and fcope of thy life altered r Is holinefs thy 
trade, and religion thy bufmefs ? Rom. v. iii. 1. 
Mat. xxv. 16. PhiL i. 20. If not, thou art fbort of 
iound converfion. 

Application. And is this that we have de- 
fcribed the converfion that is of abfolute necefiity 
to falvation ? Then be informed, 1. That " lirait 

is the gate;' and narrow is the way that leaceth 
5< unto life." 2. That there are N but few that 



I The Nature of Conuerjion* 43 

! " find it." 3. That there is need of a divine power 
favingly to convert a firmer to Jefus Chrift. 

Again; then be exhorted, O man, that readeft 
to turn in upon thine own felf. What faith con-* 
fcience? Doth it not begin to bite? Doth it n6t 
pain thee as thou goeft? is this thy judgment, this 
thy choice, and this thy way, that we have de- 
fcribed? If fo, then it is well. But doth not thy 
heart condemn thee, and tell thee there is fuch a fin 
thou lived in, againft thy confcience? Doth it not 
tell thee, there is fuch and fuch a fecret way of 
wickednefs that thou art guilty of. 5 fuch or fuch a 
duty that thou makefl no confcience of? 

Doth not confcience Carry thee to thy clofet, and 
tell thee how feldom prayer and reading is perform- 
ed there? Doth it not lead thee to thy family, and 
fhow theeihe charge of God, and the fouls of thy 
children and fervants that are neglected there? Doth 

o 

not conscience carry thee to thy jihop or thy trade, 
and "tell thee of fome' my fiery of iniquity there? 
t)oth it not carry thee to thy places of- entertain- 
ment,'arid Hmjsd thee of the company thou keepeft 
theref the precious time thou rrUfpendeft there; the 
talents : tbou waited there ? Doth it not lead thee 
into thy fecret chamber, and difcover to thee things 
that are hid from the eyes of man, and known only 
to God and thy felf ? 

O confcience! do thy duty: In the name of the 
living God, I command' thee to difcharge thy office. 
Lay hold upon- this finner, fall upon him, arrefl 
him, apprehend him, undeceive him. What! wile 
thou flatter and foothe him while he lives in his 
fins? Awake, O confcience! what meanelt. thou, 
O fleeper? What! haft thou never a reproof in 



44 STX* Necejjity of Conner/ion. 



thy mouth? What! (hall this foul die in his care- 
lefs neglect, of God and eternity, and thou alto- 
gether hold thy peace? What! fhall he go on in 
his trefpafTes, and yet have peace? O roufe up thy- 
feif, and do thy work! Now let the preacher in thy 
bofom fpeak, cry aloud, and fpare not; lift up thy 
voice like a trumpet: Let not the blood of his foul 
be required at thy hands. 

CHAP. X. 

Of the Neceffity of Conversion. 

IT may be you are ready to fay, What meaneth 
this ftir? And are apt to wonder why I follow 
you with fuch eameftnefs, ilill ringing one lefibn 
in your ears, that you Ihould " repent and be 
" converted, " Afts iii. 19. But I mull fay unto 
you as Ruth to Naomi, " Intreat me not to leave 
" you, nor to turn afide from following after you," 
Ruth i. 16. Were it a matter of indifFerency, I 
would never make fo much ado & Might you be 
faved as you be, I would gladly let you alone : 
But would you not have me folicitous for you, 
when I fee you ready to perifh ? As the Lord 
liveth, before whom I am, I have not the leali 
hopes to fee one of your faces in heaven, except 
you be converted: I utterly defpair of your falva- 
tion, except you will be prevailed with to turn, 
thoroughly, and give up ycurfelves to God in holi- 
iiefs and newnefs of life. Hath God faid, M Ex- 
*' ce h t you be born again, you cannot fee the king- 
" dom of God," John iii. 3.; and yet do you 
wonder why your mmifters do fo plainly travail in 



The Neeeffity of Converfion* 45 

! birth with you? Think it not ftrange that I am 
earneft with you to follow after holinefs, and Jong 
to fee the image of God upon you : Never did any, 
j nor (hall any enter into heaven by any other way 
but this. The converfion defcribed is not a high 
pitch of fome taller Chriftians, but every foul that 
is faved paffeth this univerfal change. 

It was a paffage of the noble Roman, when he 
was hailing with corn to the city in the famine, and 
the mariners were loth to fet fail in foul weather, 
** Our voyage is more neceffary than our lives." 
What is it that thou doft. count neceffary? Is thy 
bread neceffary ? Is thy breath neceffary ? Thea 
thy converfion is much more neceffary. Indeed, 
this is the ont? thing neceffary. Thine eftate is not 
neceffary ; thou mayeft fell all for the pearl of great 
price, and yet be a gainer by the purchafe, Mat* 
xiii. 46. Thy life is not neceffary ; thou mayeft 
part with it for Chrift to infinite advantage. Thine 
efteem is not neceffary; thou mayeft be reproached 
for the name of Chrift, and yet be happy; yea, 
- much more happy in reproach than in repute, 1 Pet* 
iv. 14. Mat. v. »o, 11. But thy converlion is ne- 
ceffary, thy damnation lies upon it: And is it not 
needful, in fo important a cafe, to look about thee ? 
On this one point depends thy making or marring 
to all eternity. 

But I fhall more particularly {how the neeeffity 
of converfion in five things; for without this, 

Firft> " Thy being is in vain." Is it not a pity 
that thou fhouldeft be good for nothing, an unpro- 
fitable burden of the earth, a wart or wen in the 
body of the univerfe? Thus thou art whilft un- 
converted i for thou canft not anfwer the end c£ 



46 The Necejfity of Converfion* 



thy being. Is it not for the divine pleafure that 
thou arc and wert created? &t<v. iv. u. Did he 
not make thee for himfelf ? Prov> xvi. 4. Art thou 
a man, and haft thou reafon ? Why then, bethink 
thyfelf why and whence thy being is: Behold God's 
work man (hip in thy body, and a(k thyfelf, To 
what end did God rear this fabrick ? Confider the 
noble faculties of thy heaven-born foul : To what 
end did God beftow thefe excellencies? To no 
other than that thou fhonldeft pleafe thyfelf, and 
gratify thy fenfes ? Did God fend men, like the 
fwa'ows into the world, only to gather a few flicks 
and dirt, and build their nefts, and breed up their 
young, and then away ? The very Heathens could 
fee farther than this Art thou fo " fearfully and 
*' wonderfully made,*' P/aL cxxxix. 14. ; and doll 
thou not yet think with thyfelf, furely it was for 
fome noble and high end ? 

O man ! fet thy reafon a little in the chair. Is it 
not pity fuch a goodly fabric fhould be raifed in 
vain ? verily thou art in vain, except thou art for 
God: Better thou hadft no being, than not to be for 
him. Wouldetl thou ferve thy end ! Thou mufl 
repent and be converted ; without this thou art to 
no purpofe, yea to bad purpofe. 

Firft, To no purpofe Man unconverted is like 
a choice initrument that hath every firing broke 
or out of tune : The Spirit of the living God muft 
repair and tune it by the grace of regeneration, 
and fweetly move it by the power of actuating 
grace, or elfe, thy prayers will be but bowlings, and 
all thy fervices will make no mufic in the ears of 
the Moil High, Epb* ii. io. Phil ii. 13. Hof. vii. 
14. Ifa* u 15. All thy powers and faculties are fo 



The Necejfity of CotwerjiQfti 47 

corrupt in their natural ftate, that except thou be 
purged from dead works, thou canft not ferve the 
living God, Heb. ix. 14. Titus i. 25. 

An unfancrified man cannot work the work of 
God. i. He hath no (kill in it; he is altogether as 
unfkilful in the work, as in the word of righteoufc 
nefs, Heb. v. 13. There are great myfteries as 
weH in the practices as in the principles of godli- 
nefs: Now the unregenerate f* know not the myfte- 
*' ries of the kingdom of heaven," Mat, xiiL 11. 
[ 1 Tim. iii. 16. You may as weli expert him that 
never learned the alphabet, to read, or a good 
muiic-boGk for the lute, from one that never fet his 
hand to an inftrument, as that a natural man fhould 
do the Lord any piealing fervice. He muft firft be 
taught of God, John vi, 45. taught to pray, Luke 
xi. 1. taught to profit, I/a. xlviii. 17. taught to 
go, Hofea xi. 3 or elfe he will be utterly at a lofs. 
2. He hath no ftrength for it. How weak is his 
heard Ezek. xvi. 30. He is prefently tired : " The 
" Sabbath, what a wearinefs is it!" Mai. i. 13. 
*' He is without ftrength," Rom. v. 6. yea, dead 
in fin, Epb. \u 5. 3. — He hath no mind to ic. He 
" defires not the knowledge of God's ways," Job 
xxi. 14. He doth not know them ; he doth not 
care to know them, P/aL lxxxii. 5. He knows not, 
neither will he underitand. 4. He hath neither 
due inftruments nor materials for it. A man may 
as well hue marble without tools, or limn without 
colours or inftruments, or build without materials, 
as perform any acceptable fervice without the graces 
of the Spirit, which are both the materials and in- 
itruments in this work. Alms-giving is not a fer- 
vice of God, but of vain-glory, if not held forth by 



4 8 The Neceffity of Conwrjion* 



the hand of Divine love. What is the prayer of 
the lips, without grace in the heart, but the car- 
cafe without the life ? What are all our confeffions, 
Unlefs they be exercifes of godly forrow and un- 
feigned repentance? What our petitions, unlefs 
animated all along with holy defires, and faith in 
the Divine attributes and promifes ? What our 
praifes and thankfgivings, unlefs from the love of 
God and "a holy gratitude, ancj fenfe of God's 
mercies in the heart ? So that a man may as well 
expect the tree mould fpeak, or look for logic front 
the brutes, or motion from the dead, as for any 
fervice holy and acceptable to God, from the un* 
converted. When the tree is evil, how can the 
fruit be good ? Mat. vii. iS. 

Secondly, to bad purpofe. The unconverted foul 
is a very cage of unclean birds, Rev. xviii. 2.; a 
fepulchre full of corruption and rottennefs, Mat. 
xxiii. 27.: a Joathfome carcafe full of crawling 
worms, and fending forth a heliifh and mod noi- 
fome favour in the noilrils of God, Pf. xiv. 3, O 
dreadful cafe! Doft thou not yet fee a change to 
be needful? Would ir riot have grieved one to fee 
the golden confecrated vefTels of God's temple 
turned into quaffing bowls of drunkennefs, and pol- 
luted with idol fervice? Pan. v. 2, 3. Was it fuch 
an abomination to the Jews, when Antiochus fet up 
the picture of a fwine at the entrance of the temple? 
How much more abominable then it would have 
been to have had the very temple itfelf turned into 
a (table or a nye, and to have the Holy of Holies 
ferved like the houfe of Baal, and to have been 
turned into a draught-horfe, 2 Kings x. 27. This is 
the very cafe of the unregener-ate : All thy mem- 



The NeceJJjty of Converjion. 49 



feers are turned into i'nftruments of unrighteoufnefs 
Horn. vi. 19. fervants of Satan, and thy inmolt 
power into a receptacle of uncleannefs, Eph? ii, 2. 
Titus i. 15. You may fee the godly guelts within 
by what comes out; for " out of the heart proceed 
f * evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, 
"thefts, falfe witnefs, blafphemies," &c. thefe 
difcover what a hell there is within. O abufe in- 
fufferable ! to fee a heaven-born foul abafed to the 
filthieft drudgery ! To fee the glory of God's cre- 
ation, the chief of the works of God, the Lord 
of the univerfe, lapping with the prodigal at the 
trough, or licking up with greedinefs the mod 
loathfome vomit I Was it fuch a lamentation, to 
fee thofe that did feed delicately, fit defolate in the 
flreets; and the precious fon's of Sion, comparable 
to fine gold, efteemed but as earthern pitchers, and 
thofe that were clothed in fcarlet embrace dung- 
hills ? Lam. v. 2, 3.; and is it not much more 
fearful to fee the only thing that hath immortality 
in this lower world, and carries the fiamp of God, 
become " a veffel wherein there is no pleafure ? M 
Jer. xxii. 22.; (which is but a modeft expreflion 
of the veflel men put to the mo ft fordid ufe) O in- 
dignity intolerable ! Better thou wert dafned in a 
thoufand pieces, than continue to be abafed to fo 
-filthy a fervice. 

Secondly, " Not only man, but the whole vifible 
" creation is in vain, without this." Beloved, 
•God hath made all the vifible creatures in heaven 
and earth for the fervice of man, and man only is 
the fpokefman for all the reft. Man is in the uni- 
verfe, like the tongue to the body, which fpeak$ 



The Necejfity of Converjiott. 



for all the members. The other creatures cannot 
praife their Maker, but by dumb figns and hints 
to man that he mould fpeak for them. Man is as 
it were the high prieft of God's creation, to offer 
the facrifice of praife for all his fellow-creatures. 
The Lord God expe&eth a tribute of praife from 
all his works, Pjalm ciii. 22.; now all the reft do 
bring in their tribute to man, and pay it by his 
hand : So then if man be falfe, and faithlefs, and 
felfifti, God is wronged of all, and fhall have no 
active glory from his works. 

O dreadful thought to think of! that God 
Ihould build fuch a world as this, and lay out fuch 
infinite power and wifdom, and goodnefs there- 
upon, and all in vain; and that man mould be 
guilty at laft of robbing and fpoiling him of the 
glory of all. O think of this! While thou art un- 
converted all the offices of the creatures to thee are 
in vain; thy meat nourishes thee in vain, the fua 
holds forth his light to thee in vain, the liars that 
ferve thee in their courfes by their powerful tho* 
hidden influence, Judges v. 20. Hof. xxi. 22. do 

it in vain : Thy beaft carries thee in vain. In a 

word, the unwearied labour and continued travail 
of the whole creation, as to thee, is in v3*in. The 
fervice of all the creatures that drudge for thee, 
and yield forth their ftrength unto thee, that there- 
with thou fhouldft ferve their Maker, is all but 
loft labour. Hence the whole creation groaneth 
under the abufe of this unfanSified world, Rom. 
viii. 22. that perverts them to the fervice of their 
lulls, quite contrary to the very end of their being. 

Thirdly, " Without this thy religion is in vain," 
James i. 26. Ail thy religious performances will 



'The NeceJJtty of Converjtott. " 51 

j be but loft, for they can neither pleafe God, Rem* 
viii. 8. nor fave thy foul, 1 Cor. xiii. 2, 3, which 
are the very ends of religion. Be thy fervices ne- 

j ver fo fpecious, yet God hath no pleafure in them, 
I/a. u 14. Mai. u id. h not that man's cafe dread- 
ful, whofe facriiices are as murders, and whofe 
prayers are a breath of abomination ? I/a. lxvi. 3. 
Pro*v. xxviii. 9. Many under convi&ions think 
they will fet upon mending, and that a few prayers 
and alms will falve all again; but alas I Sirs, while 

! your hearts remain unfancUfied, your duties will 
not pafs. How punctual was Jehu?* and 1 yet all 
was rejected, becaufe his heart was not upright, 
2 Kings x. with Ho/ea i. 4. How blamelefs was 
Paul ? and yet being unconverted, all was but lofs, 
Phil. \\\. 6, 7. Men think they do much in at- 
tending God's fervice, and are ready to twit him 
with it, I/a. IviiL 3. Mat. vii. 22. and fet him down 
fo much their debtor; whereas, their perfons being 
unfanctificd, their duties cannot be accepted. 

O Soul 1 do not think when thy fins purfue thee, 
a little praying and reforming thy courfe will pacify 
God : Thou muft begin with thy heart; if thai be 
not renewed, thou canft not pleafe God. 

God threatens it as the greateft of temporal 
judgments, that they fhouid build and not inhabit, 
plant and not gather; and that their labours mould 
be eat up by Grangers, Deut. xxvii. 30, 38, 39, 41. 
Is it fo great a mifery to lofe our common labours, 
to fow in vain, and build in vain? how much more 
to lofe our pains in religion, to pray, and hear, 
and fad in vain ! This is an undoing and eternal 
lofs. Be not deceived ; if thou goelt on in thy fin^ 
ful ftate, though thou ibouldeil fpread forth thine 



The Neceffity of Con-oerjion* 



hands, God will hide his eyes; though thou make 
many prayers, he will not hear, Ifa. i. 15. If a 
man without (kill fet about our work, and mar it ! 
in doing, though he take much pains, we give him 
but little thanks. God will be worshipped after 
the due order, 1 Ckron* xv. 13. If a iervant do 
our work, but contrary to our order, he will have 
rather ftripes than praife. God's work muft be 
done according to God's mind, or he will not be 
pleafed; and this cannot be, except it be done 
with a holy heart, 2 Cbron* xxv. 2. 

Fourthly, "Without this thy hopes are in vain,'* 
Job viii. 12, 13. " The Lord hath rejected thy con- 
" jfidence," Jer. ii. 37. 

Firft, " The hope of comforts here are in vain." 
It is not only necefTary to the fafety, but comfort 
of your condition, that you be converted : With- 
out this " you (hall not know peace," Ija. lix. 8.; 
without the fear of God, you cannot " have the 
" comfort of the Holy Ghoit," Atfs\x. 31. God 
fpeaks peace only to his people, and to his faints, 
Pfalm Ixxxv. 8, If you have a falfe peace, con- 
tinuing in your fins, it is not of God's {peaking, 
and then you may guefs the author : Sin is a real 
ficknefs, I/a. I. 5.; yea, the wo r it. of ficknefs ; it 
is a leprofy in the head, Lev. xiii. 44. ; the plague 
in the heart, 1 Kings viii. 38.; it is broken nefs in 
the bones, PfaL li. 8.; it pierceth, it woundeth, 
it racketh, it tormentcth, 1 Tim. vi. iq. A man 
may as well expect eafe when his cillempers are in 
their full len gth, or his bcnes out of joint, as true 
jfomfort while m his fms. 

Q wretched man ! that can have no eafe in this 



The Neetjftty of Converfan 53 
|l - . 

cafe bat what comes from the deadlinefs of thy dif- 
eafe. You fhall have the poor nek man faying in 
his lightnefs, / am well; when you fee death in his 
face, he will needs up and about his bufmefs, when 
the very next ftep is like to be in his grave. The 
j unfan&ified often fee nothing amifs; they think 
! themfelves whole, and cry not out for a phyfician; 
1 but this (hows the danger of their cafe. 

Sin doth naturally breed diftempers and diftur- 
bances in the foul. What a continual tempeft and 
commotion is there in a difcontented mind ! What 
an eating evil is inordinate care ! What is paffion, 
but a fever in the mind ? What is luft, but a fire 
in the bones ? What is pride, but a deadly tympa- 
ny ? Or covetoufnefs, but an infatiable and infufre- 
rable thirft ? Or malice and envy, but venom in the 
very heart ? Spiritual floth is but a fcurvy in the 
mind ; and carnal fecurity a mortal lethargy : and 
how can that foul have true comfort that labours 
under fo many difeafes? But converting grace cures, 
and fo eafes the mind ; prepares the foul for a fet- 
tled, fi nding, immortal peace; " great peace have 
** they that love thy commandments, and nothing 
" mail offend them," Pjalm cxix. 165. they are the 
ways of wifdom, that afford pleafure and peace, 
Proof, iii. 17. Pavid had infinitely more pleafure 
in the word, than in all the delights of his court, 
P/alm cxix. 103, 127. The confeience cannot be 
truly pacified till foundly purified, Heb. x. 22. 
Curfed is that peace that is maintained in away of 
lin, Deut. xxix. 19, 20. — Two forts of peace are 
more to be dreaded than all the troubles in the 
world* peace with fin, and peace in fin. 



54 



The Ntceffity of Converfon* 



Secondly, " Thy hopes of falvation hereafter 
u are in vain, yea, worle than in vain;" they are 
molt injurious to God, moil pernicious to thyfelf. 
There is death, reparation, blafphemy in the bow- 
els of this hope. i. There is death in it: M Thy 
«' confidence fnall be rooted out of thy tabernacles.'* 
(God will up with it root and branch) "it mall 
" bring them to theKing of Terrors," Job xviii. 14. 
Though thou mayeil lean upon this boufe, it will 
not ftand, Jcb viii. 14. but will prove like a ruin- 
ous building, which, when a man trufts to, falls 
<lown about his ears. 2. There is defperation in 
it: " Where is the hope of the hypocrite, when 
** God takes away his foul r" Job xxvii. 8. ; then 
there is an end for ever of his hope. Indeed the 
hope of the righteous hath an end, but then it is 
not a deftruclive but a perfeclive end ; this hope 
ends in fruition, others in frustration, Prov. x. 28. 
The godly muft fay at death, " It is finimed;" 
but the wicked, te it is penfhed;" and in too fad 
earned bemoan himfelf, as Job, in a mitfake j 
" Where is now my hope ? He hath deftrcyed me, 
i( I am gone, and my hope is removed like a tree,'* 
Job x\x. 10. "The righteous hath hope in his 
f* death," Pro<v. xiv. 32. When nature is dying, 
his hopes are living; when his body is Ianguifhing, 
his hopes are flouiifhing; his hope is a living hope, 
I Pet. i. 3.; but the other is a dying, a damning, 
foul-undoing hope. " When a wicked man dieth, 
" his expeclat ; on fhall perifh, and the hope of un- 
"juft men periiheth," Prov. xi. 7. 44 It fhall 
t* be -cut- off, and prove like the fplders web," 
Job viii, x$. vvfeich heifpins out cf his own .bowels; 



||j ¥he Necejpty of Converfiofa 55 

j but then comes death with the broom, and takes 
down all, and fo there is an eternal end of his con- 
fidence wherein he trufted : " For the eyes of the 

I " wicked ftiali, fail, and their hope jhall be as the 
giving op the gholl," Job xi. 20. Wicked men 

I are fixed in their carnal hope, and will not be 

j beaten out of it; they hold it faft, they will not 
Jet it go. Yea, but death will knock off their 
fingers, though we cannot undeceive them, death 
and judgment will : When Death ftrikes his dart 
through thy liver, it will pierce thy foul and thy 
hopes together. ; The unfanclified have hope only 
in this life, 1 Cor. xv. 17.; and therefore " are of 
** all men moft miferable." When death comes 9 
it lets them out into the amazing guiph of endlefs 
defpGratioru— 2. " There is biafphemy in it." To 
hope we (hall be faved, though we continue uncon- 
verted, it is to hope we mall prove God a liar. He 
hath told you, that fo merciful and pitiful as he is, 
he will never fave you notwithftanding, if you go 
on in ignorance, or a courfe of unrighteoufnefs, Ifa. 
xxvii. 11. 1 Cor. vi. 9. In a word, he hath told 
you, that whatever you be, or do, nothing {hall 
avail you to falvation, without " you become 
** new creatures," GaL vi, 15. Now, to fay God 
is merciful, and we hope will fave us neverthelefs, 
is in effecl to fay, 54 We hope God will not do as 
•* he fays." We muft not fee God's attributes at 
variance ; God is refolved to glorify his mercy s 
but not to the prejudice of his truth, as the pre- 
iumptuous finner will find to his everlafting for- 
row. 

Objection. Why, but we hope in Jefus Chrift s 



The Necejfity of Con<verjion± 



we put our whole truft in God ; and therefore doubt 
not but we (hall be faved. 

An/aver, i. " This is not to hope in Chrift, but 
ft againft Chrifl." To hope to fee the kingdom of 
God without being born again, to hope to find 
eternal life in the broad way, is to hope Chrift will 
prove a falfe prophet. It is David's plea, " I 
" hope in thy word," Pfalm cxix. 81.; but this 
hope is againft the word. Show me a word of 
Chrift for thy hope, that he will fave thee in thy 
ignorance or profane neglecl of his fervice, and I 
will never go to (hake thy confidence. 

2. " God doth with abhorrence rejeft this 
" hope." Thofe condemned in the prophet went 
on in their fins, yet, faith the text, they will lean 
*' upon the Lord," Mic. iii. n. God will not en- 
dure to be made a prop to men in their fins: The 
Lord rejected thofe prefumptuous finners that went 
on ftill in their trefpalfes, and yet would flay them* 
felves upon Ifrael's God, 1/a. xlviii. i, 2. as a man: 
would ih~ke off the briers (as one faid well) that 
cleave to his garment. 

3. ■** [f thy hope be any thing worth, it will 
* c purify thee from thy fins," 1 John iii. 3. ; but 
curfed is that hope that cheriftieth men in their 
fins. 

QhjeBion. Would you have us to defpair ? 

AnJ*wer* You muft defpair of ever coming to 
heaven as you are, Ads ii. 37.; that is, while you 
remain unconverted. You muft defpair of ever 
feeing the face of God without holinefs : but you 
mult, by no means defpair of finding mercy, upon 
your thorough rep en: a ace and conveniens nei&her 



The Necefftty of Conner fion. 57 

may you defpair of attaining to repentance and 
converfion in the ufe of God's means. 

Fifthly, " Without this all that God hath done 
*' and flittered, will be, as to 'you, in vain, 5 ' John 
xiii. 8. Titus ii. 14.; that is, it will no way avail 
to your falvation. Many urge this as a fufficient 
ground for their hopes, that Chrift died for tinners': 
But I mud tell you, Chrift never died to fave im- 
penitent and unconvertedf tinners, fo continuing, 
2 Tim, ii. 19. A great divine was wont, in his 
private dealings with fouls, to a& two queftions ; 
ift. "What hath Chrift done for you ?"— 2d. 
f * What hath Chrift wrought in you?" Without 
the application of the fpirit in regeneration, we 
can have no faving interefts in the benefits of re- 
demption. 1 tell you from the Lord, Chrift him- 
felf cannot fave you, if you go on in this Hate. 

L " It were againft his truft." The Mediator 
is the fervant of the Father, Jfa. xliil 1.; mows his 
commiftion from him, acts in his name, and pleads 
his command for his jollification, John x. 18, 36. 
and vi. 38. 40.; and God " committed all things 
*' unto him," intruded -his own glory and the falva- 
tion of the eledl with him, Mat, xi. 27. John xvii. z* 
Accordingly Chrift gives his Father an account of 
both parts of his truft before he leaves the world, 
John xvii. 4, 6, 12. Now Chrift would quite 
crofs his Father's glory, his greateft truft, if he 
fhould fave men in their fins ; for this were to 
overturn all his counfels, and to offer violence to 
all his attributes. 

Firft, " To overturn all his counfels," of which 
this is' the order, that men fhould. be brought 



r 8 The Neceffify of Converjson. 

4< thro' fanclirkation to falvation." 2 Theft, ii. 13. 
*' he hath chofen them that they mould be holy/*' 
Epb. i. 4. They are elected to pardon and life 
through fan&ification, 1 Pet. i. 2. If thou canit 
repeal the law of God's immutable counfe), or cor- 
rupt him whom the Father hath fealed, to go di- 
rectly agaifift his comrriliion, then, and not other- 
wife, mayeil thou get to heaven in this condition* 
To hope that Chrift will fave thee while uncon- 
verted, is to hope that Chrift will falfify his truft. 
He never did, nor will fave one foul, but whom the 
Father hath given him in election, and drawn to 
him in effectual calling, John vi. 35, 37. Be af- 
fured, Chrift will fave none in a way contraiy to 
his Father's will, <ver. 38. 

Secondly. i( To ofrer violence to all his attri- 
*' butes," 1. To his juitice : For the righteouf- 
nefs of God's judgment lies in <c rendering to all 
" according to their works," Rem. ii. 5, 6. Now 
ihould men l( fow to the iiefli, and yet of the Spirit 
!« reap everlafting life," Gal. vi. 7, 8.; where 
were the glory of Divine Juftice, fince it mould 
be given to tne wicked according to the work of 
the righteous ? — z. " To his boiinefs." If God 
fhould not only fave finners, but fave them in their 
fins, his moil pure and itricl holinef? would be ex- 
ceedingly defaced: The an fa notified is in the eyes 
of God's boiinefs worfe than a fwine or viper, 
Mat. xii. 34. 2 Pet. ii, 22. It would be offering 
the extremeir. violence to the infinite purity of the 
Divine Nature, to have fuch to dwell with him ; 
" they cannot ftand in his judgmenr, they cannot 
f* abide his presence," Pjahn i. ^, and 4. 5. If 



The Neceffity of Convir/ton, §9 

Iicly David would not endure fuch in his houfe, no, 
nor in bis light, Pfalm cxxxi. 3, 7.; can we think 
God will? — 3. " To his veracity. " For God hath 
declared from heaven, that ct if any fhall fay he 
*' fhall have peace, though he goon in the ima- 
" gination of his heart, his wrath (hall fmoks 
*' againft that man/' Dent. xxix. 19, 20. ; thac 
** they (only) that confefs and forfake their fins 
" fhall find mercy/' Prov. xxviii. 13. ; that " they 
M that fhall enter into his hill, muft be of clean 
<£ hands and a pure heart, " Pfalm xxiv. 3, 4. 
V/ here were God's truth, if, * notwithstanding all 
this, he mould bring men to falvation without con- 
verfion ? O defperate finner ! that dared to hope 
that Chrift will lie to his Father, and falfify his 
word to lave thee.— 4. " To his wifdom For 
this were to throw away the chciceit mercies oa 
them who would not value them, nor J wereany 
way fuited to them. 

Firft, " They would not value them." The tuii 
fanctilied fmner putfr but little price upon God'* 
great falvation, Mat. xxii, 5. He fets no more 
by Chrift than the whole by the phyfician, Mat. 
ix. 12.5 he prizes not his balm, values not his cure, 
tramples upon his blood, Heb. x. 29. Now would 
it fraud with wifdom to force pardon and life upon 
thofe who would give no thanks for them ? Would 
the all-wife God (when he hath forbiccjen us to do 
it) " throw his holy things to dogs, and his pearl 
4t to Twine, that would, as it were, but turn again 
4 * and rend him ?" Mat. vii. 6. ; this would make 
mercy to be defpifed indeed* Wifdom requires 
that eternal life be given in a way fuitable to God's 
honour, and that Gcd fhould fecare his own glory 



6o 



The NeceJJlty of Converjion. 



as well as man's felicity.— God would Iofe the 
praife and glory of his grace, if he fhould call it 
away on them that were not only unworthy but un- 
willing. 

Secondly, " They are no way fuited to them." 
The Divine Wifdom is feen in fuiting things to each 
other; the means to the end; the object to the fa- 
culty; the quality of the gift to the capacity of the 
Teceiver. Alas ! what would an unfanctihed crea- 
ture do in heaven ? He could take no content there, 
becaufe nothing fuits him : The place doth not fuit 
him, he would be quite cut of his element I the 
company doth not fuit him : " What communion 
U hath darknefs with light, 5 ' corruption with per- 
fection, filth and rottennefs with glory and immor- 
tality ? The employment doth not fuit him ; the 
anthems of Heaven fuit not his mouth, pleafe not his 
ear. Can ft thou charm thy beaft with mufic ? Or 
wilt thou bring him to thy organ, and expect that 
he fnould make thee melody, or keep time with 
the tuneful choir : Spread thy table with delicates 
before a languifhing patient, and it will give him 
great offence. Alas I If the poor man thinks a 
iermon long, and fays of a Sabbath, <e What & 
** wearinefs is it!" MaL i. 31.; how miferable 
would he think k to be. held to it to all eternity ? 

5. 41 To his immutability, or elfe to his omni* 
<c fciency or omnipotency :" For this is enacted 
in the conclave of heaven, and enrolled in the de- 
crees of the courts above, " none but the pure in 
*« heart fhall ever fee God," Mat. v. S. This is 
laid up with him, and feaied among his treafures. 
Now, if Chrift bring yet any to heaven uncon- 
verted, either he.muft get them ia without his 



The Neceffity of Conwerjiofi. £ 1 



Father's knowledge, (and then where is his omni* 
fciency ? or againft his will, (and then where were 
his omnipotency ?) or he muft change his will, (and 
then where were his immutability ?) 

Sinner, wilt thou not give up thy vain hope of 
being faved in this condition ? Saith Bildad, " Shall 
*' the earth be forfaken for thee ? Or the works 
U moved out of their place ?f Job xxxviii 4. May 
I not make much more reafon with thee ? Shall the 
laws of Heaven be reverfed for thee? Shall the ever- 
lailing foundations be overturned for thee? Shall 
Chrift put out the eye of his Father's omnifciency, 
or morten the arm of his eternal power for thee ? 
Shall Divine Juftice be violated for thee ? Or the 
brightnefs of the glory of his holinefs be blemifhed 
for thee? O, the impoffibility, abfurdity, and blaf- 
phemy that is in fuch a confidence : To think Chrift 
will ever fave thee in this condition, is to make thy 
Saviour become a (inner, and to do more wrong to 
the Infinite Majefty than all the wicked .on earth, 
or devils in hell ever did, or could do: And yet 
wilt thou not give up fuch a blafphemous hope? 

II. " Againft his word." We need not fay, 
" Who mail afcend into heaverv, to bring down 
" Chrift from above ? Or, who fhali defcend into 
!? the deep, to bring up Chrift from beneath ? 
*' The word is nigh us," Rom, x. 6, 7, 8. Are 
you agreed that Chrift fhall end the controverfy f 
Hear then his own words : " Except you be con- 
*' verted, you mail in no wife enter into the king* 
" dom of heaven," Mat. xviii. 3. " You muft be 
" born again," John ii. 7. " If I wafh thee nor, 
66 thou haft no part in me," John xiii. 8. " Repent* 



62 



The NeceJJtty of Converjim. 



" or periih," Luke xiii. 3. One word, one would 
think, were enough from Chrift; but how often 
and earneftly doth he reiterate it ! Verily, verily, 
f* except a man be born again, he {hall not fee 
H the kingdom of God," John iii. 3, 5. Yea, 
he doth not only affert, but prove the neceffity of 
the new birth, John iii, 6.; without which man is 
no more fit for the kingdom of heaven, than a 
beaft is for the king's prefence-chamber. And wilt 
thou believe thy own prefumptuous confidence, di- 
rectly againft the law of his kingdom and rule of 
his judgment, to fave thee in this ftate ? 

HI. " Againft his oath," He hath lifted up 
his hand to Heaven, he hath fworn that thofe that 
remain in unbelief, and know not his ways, that is, 
are ignorant of them, or difobedient to them, 
* i fhall not enter into his reft," Pfalm xcv. 1 1 . 
Hib>\\\. 11. And wilt thou not yet believe, O 
fen net ! that he is in earneft ? Canft thou hope he 
will be forfworn for thee ? The covenant of grace 
is confirmed by an oath, and fealed by blood, Heb. 
vu 17. and ix. 16. 18. 19. Mat. xxvi. 21.; but all 
*nuft be made void, and another way to heaven 
found out, if thou be faved, living and dying un- 
qualified. Men cannot be faved while unconverted, 
except they could get another covenant made, and 
the whole frame of the gofpel, wnich was eftab- 
lifhed for ever with fuch oreadful folemnities, quite 
altered : And would not they be diftracted to hope 
that they fhall ? 

IV. Againft his honour." God will fo fhow 
his love to the finner, as withal to mow his hatred 
to iin; therefore " he that names the name of 
V Jefus muft depart from iniquity," z Tim, ii. 19. 




The Necejpty of Coverfion* 63 



and deny all ungodlinefs. And he that hath hope 
of life by Chrift, rouft " purify himfelf as he is 
i( pure," 1 John iii. 3. Tif. ii. iz. ; otherwife Chrift 
would be thought a favourer of fin. The Lord 
Jefus would have all the world to know, that tho* 
he pardons fin, he will not protefi it. If holy Da^ 
vid (hall fay, ™ depart from me, all ye workers of 
" iniquity," PJalm vi. 8. and fhall fhut the doors 
againft them, PJalm ci. 7. ; {hall not fuch much 
more expect it from Chrift's holinefs ? Would it be 
for his honour to have the dogs to the table, or 
lodge the fwine with his children, or to have Abra- 
ham's bofom to be a neft of vipers ? 

V. " Againft his offices." God hath exalted 
him " to be a Prince and a Saviour," ASis v. 3 u 
He would ac~l againft both, fhould he fave men in 
their fins : It is the office of a king, (i to be a 
" terror to the evil-doers, and a praife to them that 
<c do well," Rom. xiii. 3, 4, " He is a minifter 
"of God, a revenger, to execute wrath on him 
« c that doeth evil." Now, mould Chrift favour the 
ungodly, (fo continuing) and take thofe to reign 
with him " that would not that he fhould reign 
" over them," Luke xjx. 37. this would be quite 
againft his office : He therefore reigns, that hq 
may < c put his enemies under his feet," 1 Cor, xv. 
25. Now, fhould he lay them in his bofom, he 
would crofs the ends of his regal power : It belongs 
to Chrift, as a king, to fubdue the hearts, and flay 
the lufts of his chofen, Pfalm xiv. 5. and ex. 3. 
What king would take rebels in open hoftility into 
his court ? What were this but to betray life, 
kingdom, government, and all together? If Chrift 



6 4 



The Necejfity of Converfon. 



be a king, he muft have honour, homage, fubjec- 
tion, &c. MaL \. 6. Now to fave men while in 
their natural enmity, were to obfcure his dignity, 
lofe his authority, bring contempt on his govern- 
ment, and fell his dear-bought rights for nought. 

Again, as Chrift would not be a Prince, lb 
neither a Saviour, if he mould do this ; for his 
falvation is fpirituai : He is called Jefus, becaufe 
he faves the people from their fins, Mat. i. 21.; 
fo that he Ihould fave them in their fins, he would 
be neither Lord nor Jefus. To fave men from the 
punifhment, and not from the power of fin, were 
to do his woik by halves, and be an imperfeft Sa- 
viour. His office, as the Deliverer, is, " to turn 
away ungodlinefs from Jacob," Rom, xi. 26. He 
" is fent to blefs men in turning them from their 
tc iniquities." Atts iii. 26. To make " an end of 
" fin," Dan. ix. 24. ; fo that he would deftroy his 
own d:figns,' and nullify his offices, to fave men 
abiding in their unconverted irate. 

Application. Arife, then : What meaneft 
thou, O fleeper ? Awake, O fecure fmner! left 
thou be confumed in thine iniquities ; fay as the 
lepers, " If we fit here we fhall die," 2 Kings vii. 
3, 4. Verily, it is not more certain that thou art 
now out of Hell, than that thou fhalc fpeedily be in 
it, except thou repent, and be converted ; there is 
but this one door for thee to efc^pe by. Arife 
then, O fluggard 1 and (hake off thine excufes : 
How long wilt thou flumber, and fold thy hands 
to ileep, Prs<v. vi. 10, 1 1 ■ Wilt thou lie down 
in the rnidft of the fea, or lleep on the top of the 
xnaft ? Pro<u. xxiii. 54. There is no remedy, but 
thou muft either turn or burn. There is an urw 



The Neceffity of Cowverfion* 65 

changeable neceffity for the change of thy con- 
dition, except thou art refolved to abide the word 
of it, and try it cut with the Almighty. If thou 
joveft thy life, O man, arife and come away. 
Methinks, I fee the Lord jefus laying the merciful 
hands of an holy violence upon thee; methinks he 
carries it like the angels to Lot, Gen. xix. 16. &c. 

Then the angels haftened Lot, faying, arife, left 
ii thou be confumed. And while he lingered, the 
" men laid hold upon his hand, the Lord being 
?{ merciful unto him, and they brought him with- 

out the city, and faid, efcape for thy life, flay 
" not in all the plains, efcape to the mountains, 

left thou be confumed." 

O, how wilful will thy deftrudtion be, if thou 
fhouldeft yet harden thyfelf in thy finful ftate ! Bu{? 
none of you can fay but you have had fair warning. 
Yet, methinks, I cannot tell how to leave you fo» 
It is not enough for me to have delivered my own 
foul. What! fhall I go away without my errand? 
Will none of you arife and follow me ? Have I 
been all this while fpeaking to the wind I Have I 
been charming the deaf adder, or allaying the 
troubled ocean with arguments? Do I fpeak to the 
trees or rocks, or to men ? To the tombs and mo- 
numents of the dead, or to a living auditory? 
If you be men, and not fenfelefs flocks, ftand ftill 
and confider whither you are going; If you have 
the reafon and undemanding of men, dare not to 
jrun into the flames, and fall into hell with your 
eyes open, but bethink yourfelves, and fet to the 
work of repentance. What ! Men, and yet run. 
Into the pit, when the very bealts will not be forced 



66 



The Neceffity of Converfion. 



in! What! endowed with reafon, and yet dally 
with death and hell, and the vengeance of the 
Almighty ! Are men herein diltinguiihed from the 
very brutes, that they have no forefight of and care 
to provide for the things to come: And will you 
not haften your efcape from eternal torments ? O ! 
Show yourfelves men, and let reafon prevail with 
you : Is it a reafonable thing for you to " contend 
" againii the Lord your Maker I" Ifa. xiv. 9. or 
H to harden yourfelves againft his word," Job ix. 
4.; as though " the itrength of Ifrael would lie?'* 
1 Sam. xv. 29. Is it reafonable that an under-, 
Handing creature ihould lofe, yea, live quite againft 
the very end of his being, and be as a broken 
pitcher, only fit for the dunghill ? Is it reafonable 
that the only thing in this woijd that God hath made 
capable of knowing his will, and bringing him 
glory, mould yet live in ignorance of his Maker, 
and be unferviceable to his ufer yea, fliould be en- 
gaged againft him, and fpit his venom in the face 
of his Creator ! *' Hear, O heavens, and give ear, 
" O earth!" and let the creatures without fenfe be 
judge if this be reafon, that man, whom God hath 
" nourished and brought up, fhould rebel againii 
*.* him F' Ifa. i. 2. judge in your ownfelves : Is 
it a reafonable undertaking for briers and thorns 
to fet themfelves in battle againii: the devouring 
fire ? Ifa. xxvii. 4.; or for " the potfherd of the 
" earth, to ilrive with its maker r" You will fay, 
this is not reafon, or furely the eye of reafon, is 
quite put out: And if this be not reafon, then 
there is no reafon that you mould continue as you 
are, but it is all the reafon in the world that you 
fhould forthwith turn and repent. 



The NeceJJtty of Converjion* 



6 7 



What (hall I fay ? I could fpend myfelf in this 
argument. O that you would but hearken to mel 
That you would prefently fet upon a new courfe ? 
Will you not be made clean ? When fhall it once 
be ? What ! will nobody be perfuaded ? Reader, 
fhall I prevail with thee for one? Wilt thou fit down, 
and confider the forementioned argument, and de- 
bate it, whether it be not beft to turn: Come, and 
let us reafon together: Is it good for thee to be 
here ? Wilt thou fit till the tide come in upori 
thee ? Is it good for thee to try whether God will 
be fo good as his word, and to harden thyfelf in 
a conceit that ail is well with thee, while thou 
remained unfandtified ? 

But I know you will not be perfuaded, but the 
greateft part will be as they have been, and do as 
they have done. I know the drunkard will turn, 
to his vomit again, and the deceiver to his deceit 
again, and the loftful wanton to his dalliance again* 
Alas! that I mult leave you where you were, in 
ignorance or loofenefs, or in your lifelefs formality 
and cuftomary devotions! However, I will fit down 
and bemoan my fruitlefs labours, and fpend fome 
lighs over my periling hearers. 

O diftracled fmners ! What will their end be ? 
what will they do in the day of vifitation? Whi- 
*' ';her will they flee for help ? Where will they 
14 leave their glory ?" I/a. x. 3, How power- 
fully, hath fm bewitched them ? How effectually 
hath the god of this world blinded them ? How 
ftrong is the delufion ? How uncircumcifed their 
ears r How obdurate their hearts ? Satan hath 
them at his beck. But how long may I call and 
can ge; no anfwer ? 1 may difpute with them year 



6S 



The Necejfity sf Converfion^ 



after year, and they will give me the hearing, and 
that is all ? they rnuil and will have their iins, fay 
what I will ; though I tell them there is death in 
the cup, yet they will take it up ; though I tell 
them it is the broad way, and endeth in deitru&ion, 
yet they will go on in it ; I warn them, yet can- 
not win them. Sometimes I think the mercies of 
God will melt them, and his winning invitations 
will overcome them; but I rind them as they were: 
Sometimes that the terror of the Lord will perfuade 
them; yet neither will this do it. They will ap- 
prove the word like the fermon, commend the 
preacher, but they will yet live as they did. They 
wiil not deny me, and yet they will not obey me, 
They will flock to the word of God, and fit before 
me as his people, and hear my words, but they 
will not do them. They value and will plead for 
iminifters, and I am to them as the lovely fong of 
one that hath a pleafant voice, yet I cannot get 
them to come under ChriiVs yoke. They love me, 
and will be ready to fay they will do any thing for 
me ; but, for my life, I cannot perfuade them to 
leave their fins, to forego their evil company, their 
Intemperance, their unjuft gains, See. I cannot 
prevail with them to fet up prayer in their families 
and cJofets,yet they will prcmife me> like the fro ward 
fon, that faid, " I will go, Sir, but went not,'* 
Mat. xxi. 30. I cannot perfuade them to learn 
the principles of religion, though elfe they would 
*' die without knowledge," Job xxxvL 12. I teil 
them their mifery, but they will not believe but it 
is well enough : If I tell them particularly I fear 
for fuch reafons, their eftate is bad, they will judge 
me cenforious % or, if they be at prefers a littf e 



The Marks, &c. 



awakened, are quickly lulled afleep by Satan again^ 
and have loft the fenfe of all. 

Alas, for my poor hearers! muft they perifh 
at lad by hundreds, when minifters would fo faia 
fave them ? What courfe fhall I ufe with them* 
that I have not tried ? " What fhall I do for the 
" daughter of my people ?" Jer. ix» 7: *' O Lordl 
V God, help, Alasl mail I leave them thus f If 
<i they will not hear me, yet do thou hear me : O 
" that they may yet live in thy fight 1 Lord, fave 
" them, or elfe they perifh. My heart would melt 
" to lee their houfes on lire about their ears, whea 
f c they were fall afleep in their beds ; and fhall not 
€f my foul be moved within me to fee them falling 
<c into endlefs perdition ! Lord, have compafliori, 
u and fave them out of the burning; put forth thy 
et divine power, and the work will be done ; bat 
* 6 as for me, 1 cannot prevail." 

CHAP. IV. 

Showing the marks of the unconverted. 

WHILE we keep. aloof in generals, there Is 
little fruit to be expected, it is the hand- 
fight that doth execution. David is not awakened 
by the prophet's hovering at a diftance in parabo- 
lical iofmuations ; he is forced to clofe with him, 
and tell him plainly, " thou art the man," Few 
will in words deny the neceffity of the new birth, 
but they have a felf-delading confidence that the 
work is not now to do. And becaufe they know 
themfelves free from that grofs hypocrify which takes 
up religion merely for a colour to deceive others, 
and for covering cf wicked defigns, they are con- 



7* 



The Marks of 



£dent of their fincerity, and fufped not that more 
clofe hypccrify (wherein the greateft danger lies) 
by which a man deceiveth his own foul, James i. 
26. But man's deceitful heart is fuch a matchlefs 
cheat and felf-delufion, fo reigning and fo fatal a dif. 
eafe, that I know not whether be the greater, the 
difficulty, difagreeablenefs, or the neceHity of the 
undeceiving work that I am now upon. Alas, for 
ray unconverted hearers I They muft be unde- 
ceived or undonec But how mall this be effected. 

"Help, O all-fearching Light! and let thy 
€S difcerning eye difcover the rotten foundation of 
* c the felf deceiver ; and lead me, O Lord God, 
?f as tLou didit the prophet, into the chambers of 
€t imagery, and dig through the walls of iinners* 
*' hearts, and difcover the hidden abominations 
*' that are lurking out of fight in the dark. O 
*' fend thy angel before me, to open the fundry 
** wards of their hearts, as thou didit before Peter, 
€S and make even the iron gates to ily open of 
^ their own accord. And, as Jonathan no fooner 
* c tailed the honey, but his eyes were enlightened ; 
€i fo grant, O Lord, that when the poor deceived 
** fouls, with whom I have to do, mail caft their 
€i eyes upon thefe lines, their minds may be illu- 
€t minated, and their confciences convinced and 
** awakened, that they may fee with their eyes, 
*' and hear with their ears, and be converted, and 

that thou mayeft heal them* 

This mull be premifed before we proceed to the 
difcovery, that it is moil certain men may have 
a confident perfuafion that their hearts, and ftates 
be j;ood, and yet be unfound. Hear the truth him- 
feLv who fhows in Laodicea's cafe* that men may 



7 'he Unconverted. 



71 



M be wretched, and miferable, and poor, and 
" blind, and naked," and yet not know it; yea, 
they may be confident they are " rich, and increafed 
" in grace,'* Re*v. iii. 17. " There is a generation 
«* that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not 
*• wafhed from their fikhinefs, 5 * -Prov. xxx. 12. 
Who better perfuaded of his cafe than Paul, while 
he yet remained unconverted? Rom. vu. 9. So 
that they are miferabiy deceived that take a 
flrong confidence for a fufficient evidence. — They 
that have no better proof than bareiy a itrong per- 
fuafion that they are converted, are certainly as 
yet flrangers to converfion. 

But to come more clofe : As it was faid of the 
adherents to Antichrift, fo here ; fome of the un- 
converted carry their marks in their foreheads, 
more openly, and fome in their hands, more co- 
vertly : The Apollie reckons up fome upon whom 
he writes the fentence of death : as in thefe dread- 
ful catalogues ; which I befeech you to attend to 
with all diligence, Epb. v. 5, 6. " For this ye 
€t know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean per- 
" fon, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath 
" any inheritance in the kingdom of Chrift, and 
" of God. Let no man deceive you with vaia 
" words, for becaufe of thefe things cometh the 
" wrath of God upon the children of difobedi- 
" ence," Re<v. xxi. ,8 " But the fearful aud un- 
" believing, and abominable, and murderers, and 
I " whoremongers, and forcerers, and idolaters, and 
*% all liars, (hall have their part in the lake thac 
" burns with fire and brimfcone, which is the fecond 
" death," 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. " Know ye not that 
I*-tite unrighteous ftiaii not inherit the kingdom of 



7 2 



The Marks of 



*' God! Be not deceived, neither fornicators, no? 
** idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor 
*' abufers of themfelves with mankind, nor thieves, 
*' nor covetous nor drunkards, nor reviiers, nor 
" extortioners, mall inherit the kingdom of God." 
See Gal v. 19, zt. Wo to them that have their 
Xiames written in thefe bead-rolls; fuch may know 
as certainly as if God had told them from heaven, 
that they are unfanclified, and under an impoifibi- 
Jity of being faved in this condition. 

There are then thefe feverai forts that (part all 
cifpute) are unconverted; the^ carry their marks 
in their forehead. 

1 . The Unclean. Thefe are ever reckoned among 
the goats, and have their names, whoever is left 
out, in all the before- mentioned catalogues, Epb. 
Y. 5. Rev. xxi. 8. 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. 

2. The Covetous. Thefe men are ever branded 
for idolater Si and the doors of the kingdom are (hut 
sgainit them by name, Epb. v. 5. Cel. iii. 5. 1 Cor, 
vi. 6. 10. 

3. Drunkards. Not only fuch as drink away 
their reafon, but wnha! (yea above all) fuch as 
are too ftrong even for ilrong drink: The Lord 
iilis his mouth with woes againit thefe, and de- 
clares they " have no inheritance in the kingdom 
"of God," I/a. v. 11, 12. Gal. v. 21. 

4. Liars. The God that cannot lie, he has told 
them, that there is no place for them in his king- 
dom, no entrance in bis hill; but their portion is 
with the father of lies, whofe children they are, in 
the lake of burnings, Pfalm xv. 1, 2. Rev, XXI, 
2> 27. John viiL 44, Prov, vi. j;» 



Tfa Unconverted:* 



5. Swearers* The end of thefe, without deep 
and fpeedy repentance, ia fwift deftruction, and 
moft certain and unavoidable condemnation, James 
v. 12. Zacb. v. 1, 2, 3. 

6. Railers and Backbiters, that lore to take up a 
reproach againft their neighbour, and fling all the 
dirt they can in his face, or clfe wound him fecretly 
behind his back, Pfalm xv. I, 3. 1 Cor* vL iv» 
and v. ii. 

' 7. Thieves, Extortioners, and OppreJfbrs> that grind 
the poor, over-reach their brethren, when the# 
have them at an advantage; thefe muft &now that 
" God is the avenger of all fuch," 1 Tbefl. iv. 6* 
Hear, O ye falfe and purloining, and waftefui 
fervants ! Hear, O ye deceitful tradefrnen ! hear^ 
yohr fentence; God will certainly hold his door 
againft you, and turn your, treafures of unrighte* 
oufnefs into treafures of wrath, and make your ill* 
gotten filver and gold to torment you, like burn- 
ing metal in your bowels, 1 Cor. vi. 9, ic. James 
v. 2, 3. 

8. u All that do ordinarily Jive in the profane 
64 neglect of God's worjhip'" that hear not his 
word* that call not oa his name, that reftraia 
prayer before God, that mind not their own nor 
their families* fouls, but " live without God in the 
" world,'* John viii. 47. Job xv. 4. P/al. xiv. 4, 
and lxxix. 6. Epb. ii. 12. and iv. 18. 

9, " Thofe that are frequenters and lovers of 
4i company.*' God hath declared he will be the 
4eftroyer of all fuch, and that they fliall never entes 
into the hill of his reft* Pra<v. xui* zq* aad ix* 
{fib xv. 4* 

G 



74 Marks of 

io. Scoffers, at religion, that make a fcorn of pre- 
cife walking, and mock at the meffengers and dili- 
gent fervants of the Lord, and at their holy pro- 
feffion, and make themfelves merry with the weak- 
nefs and failings of profeflbrs. Hear, you defpifers, 
your dreadful doom, Prcv. xix. 29. and iii. 34* 
2 Cbrcn: XXX vi. 16. 

Sinner, confider diligently whether thou art not 
to be found in one of thefe ranks; for if this be 
*hy cafe;, " thou art in the gall of bitter*nefs an4 
*' bond of iniquity;" for all thefe do carry their 
marks in their foreheads, and are undoubtedly the 
fons of death. And it fo, the Lord pity our poor 
congregations ! O, how fmall a number will be 
left, when thefe ten forts are taken out! Alas! on 
liow many doors, on how many faces muft we 
write, " Lord have mercy upon us!" Sirs, what 
fhift do you make to keep up your confidence of 
your good flate, when God from heaven declares, 
againit you, and pronounces you in a ftate of dam~ 
nation? I would reafon with you as God with them,, 
4< How- canft thou fay, lam not polluted?" Jer. 
5i. 13. " See thy way in the valley, know what 
" thou haft done." Man, is not thy confeience 
privy to tricks of deceit, to thy chamber pranks, 
to thy way of lying ? Yea, are not thy friends* 
thy family, thy neighbours, witnefs to thy profane 
neglect of God's worfhip, to thy covetous practices „ 
to thy envious and malicious carriage? May not 
they point at thee as thou goeft, There goes a 
gaming prodigal ! There goes a drunken Nabal, 
a companion x)f evil doors ! There goes a railer, or 
fcoifer, or a loofe liver! Beloved, God hath 
written it as with a fun-beam in the bock by which 
you mull be judged, that thefe are not the fpots of 



^The Unconverted* 75 

Sris - '-children ! and that none fuch, except renewed 
by converting grace, fhall ever efcape the damna- 
'Sion of hell. 

O that fach as you would now be perftiaded to 
** repent or turn from all your tranfgreflions, or 
u elfe iniquity will be your ruin !" Ezek. xviii. 30. 
Alas, poor hardened finners 1 Mud I leave you at 
laft where you were? Mud I leave the tipler ftill at 
the ale-bench ? Mud I leave the wanton ftill at his 
dalliance? Muft I leave the malicious ftill in his ve- 
nom, and the drunkard ftill at his vomit? However* 
you muft know that we have been warned, and that 
I am clear of your blood. And " whether mem 
" will hear* or whether they will forbear," I will 
leave the fcriptures with them, either as thunder- 
bolts to awaken them, or as fearing irons to harder* 
them to a reprobate fenfe, PfaL Ixviii. 21. " God 
€t mall wound the head of his enemies, and the 
hairy fcalp of fuch an one as goes on ftill in his 
tref^afles," Prow, xxix, 1. " He that being 
* c often reproved hardeneth his neck, fhall fuddenly 
" Be deftroyed, and that without remedy," chap* 
i. 24, &c. " Becaufe I have called, and ye re- 
" refufed, I have ftretched out my hand, and no maa 
regarded, &c. I will mock at your calamity, 
when your deftruclion cometh as a whirlwind. " 
And now I imagine many will begin to blefs 
themfelves, and think all is well, becaufe they 
cannot be charged with the groffer evils before- 
mentioned ; but T muft further tell you, that there 
are another fort of unfanflified perfons, that carry 
not their marks in their foreheads, but more fe- 
cretly and covertly, in their hands ; thefe do fre- 
quently deceive themfelves and others/ ^jlcVpafs 



^6 *T-he Marks tf^ 

for good Christians, while they are all the white 
unfound at bottom. Many pafs undiscovered till 
death and judgment bring all to light. Thofe feif- 
deceivers feem to come even to heaven's gate with 
full confidence of their admiffion, and yet are (hut 
cut at laft, Mat. vii. 22. 

Brethren beloved, I befeech you deeply to lay to 
lieart, and firmly retain this awakening conlidera* 
tion, " that multitudes mifcarry by cherifhing fome 
** fecret fin* that is hot only hidden from others* 
*' but for want of learching their own hearts, even 
** from themfelves," A man may be free from 
open pollutions, and yet perifii at laft by Tome fecret 
unobferved iniquity. And there be thefe twelve 
iidden fins, through which fouls go down by num- 
bers into the chambers of death; thefe you muft 
fearch carefully for, and note them as black marks* 
wherever they be found, difcovering a gracelefs 
and unconverted (late: And as you love your lives* 
read carefully, with a holy jealoufy of yourfelves, 
left you fhould be the perfons concerned. 

I. " Grofs ignorance." O, how many poof 
fouls doth this fin kill in the dark? Hof. iv. 6.; 
while they think verily they have good hearts, and 
are in the ready way to heaven ! This is the mur- 
derer that difpatches thoufands in a filent manner* 
when, poor hearts ! they fufpeft nothing, and fee 
not the hand that deftroys them. You mail find* 
whatever excufes you have for ignorance, that it is 
a foul- undoing evil, I/a. xxvii. u. 2 Theft, i. 8. 
2 Cor. iv. 3. Ah ! would it not have grieved a man's 
heart to have feen that woful fpe&acle, when the 
poor Proteftants were Ihut up, a multitude together 
in a barn, and a butcher comes with cruel hands* 
warmed in human blood, and leads them one by 



The Unconverted. 77 

dfbld, to a block, where he flew them, 
poor innocents, one after another by fcores in cold 
blood ? But how much more lhould your hearts 
bleed, to think of the hundreds in great congrega- 
tions that ignorance doth butcher in fecret, and 
lead blindfold to the block? Beware this be none of 
your cafe : Make no plea for ignorance ; if you 
fpare that fin, know that it will not fpare you: And 
would a man take a murderer to his bofom? 

2. " Secret referves in clofing with Chrift,"*— 
To forfake all for Chrift, to " hate father and 
* c mother, yea, a man's own life" for him; " This 
" is a hard- faying," Luke xiv. 26. Some will do 
inuch, but they will not be of the religion that will 
undo them ; they never come to be entirely devoted 
to Chrift, nor fully to refign to him : They mull 
have the fweet fin; they mean to do themfelves no 
harm ; they have lecret exceptions for life, liberty, 
or eftate. Many take Chrift thus, hand-over-heaci, 
and never confider his felf-denying terms, nor caft 
up thecoft: And thus error in the foundation mars 
all, and fecretly ruins them for ever, Luke xiv. 28* 
Mat. xviii. 2 1. 

3. " Formality in religion." Many ftick in 
the dark, and reft in the outfide of religion, and in 
the external performances of holy duties, Mat. 
xxiii, 25.; and this oftentimes doth moft effectually 
deceive men, and doth more certainly undo them 
than open loofenefs, as it was in the Pharifee's 
cafe, Mat. xxiii. 31. They hear, they faft, they 
pray, they give alms, and therefore will not believe 
but their cafe is good, Luke xviii. xi«; whereas 
refting in the work done, and coming fhort of 
beart-work, and the inward power and life of re-* 

G 3 





ft 



Tie Marks of 



li^ion, tlrcy fail at laft into the burning, from ths 
flattering hopes and confident perfuafions of their 
being in the ready way to heaven, Mat. vii. 22, 23, 
O dreadful cafe, when a man's religion lhall ferve 
only to harden him, and eife&ually to delude and 
deceive his own foul! 

4. " The prevalence of falfe ends in holy du- 
<c ties," Mat. xxiii. 25. This was the bane of the 
Pharifee : O how many poor fouls are undone by 
this, and drop intoiiell before they difcern their 
miftake! They perform good duties, and fo think 
all is well; but perceive not that they are aduated 
by carnal motives all the while. It is too true, that 
even with the truly fanctified many carnal ends will 
frequently creep in; but they are the matter of his 
hatred and humiliation, and never come to be ha- 
bitually prevalent with him, and bear the greateil 
fway, Rom. xiv. 7.; but now, when the main thing 
that doth ordinarily carry a man out to religious 
duties lhall be really fome carnal end, as to fatisfy 
his confcience, to get the repute of being religious, 
** to be feen of men," to fhovv his own gifts and 
parts, to avoid the reproach of being a profane and 
irreligious perfon,- or the like; this difcovers an 
unfound heart, Eof. x. 1. Zecb. vii. 3,6. O pro- 
felforl if you would avoid feif-deceit, fee that you 
mind not only your ads, but withal, yea, above 
all, your ends. 

5. " Trufting in their own righteoufnefs," Luke 
xvi:. 9. This is a foul-undoing mifchief, Rem. x. 3. 
When men do truft in their.own righteoufnefs, they 
do indeed reject Chrift's. Beloved, you had need 
be watchful on every hand; for not only your fins, 
but your duties may undo you. It may be you 
never thought of this; but fo it is that a man may 



the Unconverted, f& 

as certainly mifcarry by his Teeming righteoufnefs 
and fuppofed graces, as by grofs fins; and that is. 
when a man doth truft in thefe as his righteoufnefs 
before God, For the fatisfying his jufttce, appeafing- 
his wrath, procuring his favour, and obtaining of 
his own pardon ; for this is to put Chrift out of of- 
fice, and make a f&viour of our own duties and 
graces. Beware of this, O profeflbrs ! you are 
much in duties; but this one fly will fpoil all the 
ointment. When you have done mod and beft, be 
fure to go out of ycurfelves to Chrift, reckon your 
own righteoufnefs but rags, Pfalm cxliii. 2. PhiL 
iii. 9. I/a. Ixiv. 6. Neb. xiii. 22. 

6. "A fecret enmity again ft the ftriclnefs of re- 
** ligion." Many moral perfons, punctual in their 
formal devotion, have a bitter enmity againft pre- 
cifenefs, and hate the life and power of religion, 
PhiL iii. 6. compared with Afis XT. I - They like 
not his forwardnefs, nor that men lhould keep fuch 
a ftir in religion; they condemn the ftrictnefs of 
religion as fingularity, indifcretion, and intempe- 
rate zeal; and with them a lively preacher, or a 
lively Chriftian, is but a heady fellow. Thefe mea 
have not holinefs as holinefs (for then they would 
Jove the height of holinefs) and therefore are un- 
doubtedly rotten at heart, whatever good opinion, 
they have of themfelves. 

7. " The refting in a certain point of religion.'* 
When they have fo much as will fave them (as 
they fuppofe) they look no farther, and fo (how 
themfelves Ihort of true grace, which will ever put 
men upon afpiring to farther perfection, Phil, iii- 13. 

8. " The predominant love of the world." This 
is the fure evidence of an unfanctihed heart, Mark 

22. I John iL 15. 



The Maris if 



But hoty clofe does this fin lurk oftentimes uii* 
der the fair covert of outward profeflion ! Luke viii. 
34. Yea, fuch a power of deceit is there in this 
fin, that many times when every body elfe can fee 
the man's worldlinefs and covetoufnefs, he cannot 
fee it himfelf, but hath fo many colours and ex- 
cufes, and pretences for his eagernefs on the world, 
that be doth blind his own eyes, and perifh in his 
felf-deceit. How many profefFors be there, with 
whom the world hath more of their hearts and af- 
fections than Chrift, " who mind earthly things,'* 
and thereby are evidently after the fleih, and like 
to end in deftru&ion ! Rem. viii. 5. Phil, iii. 19. 
Yet a Ik thefe men, and they will tell you confi- 
dently, they prize Chrift above all; God forbid elfe! 
and fee not their own earthly-mindednefs, for want 
of a narrow obfervation of the workings of their 
own hearts. Did they but carefully rearch, they 
would find that their greateft content is in the world, 
Luke xii. 19. and their greatest care and main en- 
deavour is to get and fecure the world, which are 
the certain difcoveries of an unconverted finner. 
May the profeffing part of the world take earneft 
Jheed that chey periih not by the hand of this fin 
iinobferved, Men may be, and often are, kept off 
from Chriil as effe&ua lly by the inordinate love of 
lawful comforts, as by the moll unlawful courfes, 
Mat. xiu 5. Luke xlv. 18, 24. 

9. " Reigning malice and envy againil thofe 
* f that cifvefpect them, and are injurious to them," 
I JoknW. 9. tu O how do many, that feem to 
fee religious, remember injuries and carry grudges, 
and will return man as good as they bring, render- 
ing evil for evil, loving to take revenge, wilhing 
evil to t^ern that wrong them, direftly againit the 



the Unconverted. §t 

of thegofpel, the pattern of Chrift, and the 
Mature of God! Rom. xii. 14, 17. 1 Pet. 11. 21, 23. 
iV>£. xi. 17. Doubtlefs where this evil is kepc 
boiling in the heart, and is not hated, refilled, mor- 
tified, but doth habitually prevail, that perfon is m 
the very gall of bitternefs, and in a ftate of death* 
Mat. xviii 34, 35. i Hi. 14, 15. 

Reader, doth nothing of this touch thee? Art 
thou in none of the forernentioned ranks ? O fearcht 
and fearch again; take thy heart folemnly to talk. 
Wo unto thee, if after thy profeftion thou fhouideft 
be found under the power of ignorance, loft in for* 
mality, drowned in earthly-mindednefs, envenomed 
with malice, exalted in an opinion of thine own 
righteoufnefs, leavened with hypocrify and carnal 
ends in God's fervice, imbittered againft ftrictnefs; 
this would be a fad difcovery that all thy religion; 
were in vain. But I muft proceed: 

10, " Unmortified pride." When men love the 
praifeof men more than the praifeof God, and fet 
their hearts upon men's efteem, applaufe, and ap- 
probation, it is moft certain they are yet in their 
fas, and Grangers to true converfion, John xii. 43. 
Gal. i. 10. When men fee not, nor complain, nor 
groan under the pride of their own hearts, it is a 
fign they are quite dead in fin. O, how fecretly 
doth this fin live and reign in many hearts, and they 
know it not, but are very ftrangers to themfeives; 
John xi. 40. 

i The prevailing love of pleafure." 2 Tim. 
iii. 4. This is a black mark. When men give 
the flefli the liberty that it craves, and pamper and 
pleafe it, and do not deny and reftrain it; when 
their great delight is in gratifying their bellies, and 
pieafing their fenfes; Whatever appearances they 




g* The Marks of 

may have of religion, all is unfound, Rom. xvl. \%* 
Titus iii. 3. A flem-pleafing life cannot be plea- 
ding to God. cC They that are Ch rift's have cru- 
*' cified the flefti," and are careful to crofs it, and 
keep it under as their enemy, GaL v. 24. i Cor* 

XL. 2$, 27. 

12. "Carnal fecurity, or a prefumptuous un- 
" grounded confidence that their condition is already 
" good," Rev. iii. 17. Many cry peace and 
fafety, when fudden deftruftion is coming upon them, 
I Thejf. v. 3.; this was that which kept the fooliftx 
virgins fieeping, when they fiiould have been work* 
Ing ; upon their beds, when they mould have been 
at the markets, Mat. xxv. 5, 10. Prov. x. 5. They 
perceived not their want of oil till the bridegroom 
was come; and while they went to buy, the door 
was (hut. And O that thefe foolifh virgins had 
no fucceflbrs! Where is the place, yea, where is 
the houfe almoft where thefe do not -dwell? Men 
are willing to cherifti in themfelves, upon ever fo 
light grounds, a hope that their Condition is good, 
and fo look not out after a change, and by this 
means perilh in their fins. .Are you at peace? 
Show me upon what grounds your peace is main- 
tained. Is it fcripture peace? Can you (how the 
diftinguiftiing marks of a found believer? Can you 
evidence that you have fomethtng more than any 
hypocrite in the world ever had? If not, fear this 
peace more than any trouble; and know that a 
carnal peace doth commonly prove the moft mortal 
enemy of the poor foul ; and whilft it fmiles, and 
kiffes, and fpeaks it fair, doth fatally fmite it, as 
it were, under the fifth rib. 

By this time, methinks, I hear my readers cry- 
ing out with the difciples, " Who then fhall be 



The Unconverted. 



** faved I" Set out from among our congregation 
all thofe ten ranks of the profane on the one hand, 
and then befides take out all the twelve forts of 
clofe and felf-deceiving hypocrites on the other 
hand, and tell me then whether it be not a remnant 
that fhal! be faved. How few will be the fbeep that 
ihall be left when all thefe fna\\ be feparated and 
let among the goats ? For my part, of all my nu* 
serous hearers, I have no hope to fee any or them 
in heaven, that are to be found among thefe two 
and twenty forts that are here mentioned, except 
by found converfion they are brought into another 
condition. 

Application. And now, Conference, do thy 
office; fpeak out, and fpeak home to him that 
heareth or readeth thefe lines. If thou find any of 
thefe marks upon him, thou muft pronounce him 
utterly unclean, Lev. 44, Take not up a lie 
into thy mouth, fpeak not peace to him to whom, 
God fpeaks no peace: Let not luft bribe thee, or 
felf-love, or carnal prejudice blind thee. I fub- 
poena thee from the court of fieaven to come and 
give in evidence: I require thee in the name of 
God :o go with me to the fearch of the fufpecled 
houfe. As thou wilt anfwer it at thy perils give i$i 
a true report of the ftate and cafe of him that read- 
eth this book. Confcience, wilt thou altogether 
hold thy peace at fuch a time as this ? I adjure^ thee 
by the living God that thou tell us the truth, Mat. 
xxvi. 63., is the man converted, or is he not ? 
Poth he allow himfelf in any way of fin, or doth he 
not? Doth he truly love, and pleafe, and prize, and 
delight in God above all other things, or not£ 
Come, put it to an iffue. 
How long (hall this foul live at uncertainties j 



The Marks of 



O Conference, bring in thy verdift. Is this man 
a new man, or is he not? How doll thou find it r 
Hath there pafled a thorough and mighty change 
upon him, or not? When was the time? where was 
the place ? or what were the means by which this 
thorough change in the new birth was wrought in his 
foul ? Speak, Conscience ; or if thou canft not tell 
time and place, canft thou ftiew Icripture-evidence 
that the work is done ? Hath the man been ever 
taken off from his falfe bottom, from the falfe hopes a 
and falfe peace wherein once he trufted ? Hath he 
been deeply convinced of fin, and of his loft and un- 
done condition, and brought out of himfelf, and of? 
from his fins, to ^ive up himfelf entirely to Jefus 
Chrift r Or, doft thou not find him to this day under 
the power of ignorance, or in the mire of profane- 
i[iefs? Haft thou not found upon him the gains of un- 
xighteoufnefs? Doft thou not find him a ftranger to 
prayer, a neglecler of the word, a lover of this pre- 
lent world? Doft thou not often catch him in a lie ?- 
£>oft thou not find his heart fermented with malice, 
or burning with luft, or going after his covetouf- 
jiefs ? Speak plainly to all the fore-mentioned par- 
ticulars : Canft thou acquit this man, this woman* 
from being any of the two and twenty forts here 
defcribed ? If he be found with any of them, fet 
them afide, his portion is not with the faints ; he 
xnuft be converted, and made a new creature, or 
elfe he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

Beloved, be not your own betrayers, do not de- 
ceive your own hearts, nor fet your hands to -you?- 
own ruin, by a wilful binding of yourfelves. Set 
up a tribunal in your own breafts* bring the word 
and confeience together : " To the law and to the 
«< teftuBony*" Jfa % viii. 20. y tear what *h* wofd 



the Unconverted. 



8 5 



Concludes of your efiates ! O follow the fearch till 
you have found how the cafe {lands I miflake here 
and perifh. And fuch is the treachery of the 
heart, the fubtilty of the tempter, and the deceitful- 
uefs of fin, Jer. xvii. 9. z Cor. xi. 3. Heb. iii. 13. 
all confpire to fktter and deceive the poor foul ; 
and withal, fo common and eafy it is to be millaken,. 
that it is a thoufand to one but you will be deceived, 
unlefs you be very careful, and thorough, and im-». 
partial in the inquiry into your fpiumal conditions 
O; therefore ply your work, go to the bottom, 
fearch with candles, weigh you in the balance, 
Come to the (landard of the faiicluary, bring your 
Coin to the touchftone. You have the arched cheats 
in the world to deal with, a world of counterfeit 
coin is going, happy is he that takes no counters 
for gold. §atan is m after of deceit; he can draw: 
to the life, lie is perfect, in the trade, there is no^ 
thing but he can imitate, 

, You cannot wifh for any grace, but he can fit 
you to a hair with a counterfeit. Trade warily, 
look on every piece you take, be jealous, truft not 
fo much as your own hearts. Run to God to 
fearch you and try you ; to examine you, and prove 
your reins, PfaL xxvi. 3. and cxxxix. 23, 24. If 
other helps fufrice not to bring all to an iffue, but you 
are frill at a lofs, open your cafes faithfully to fome 
godly and faithful minifter, Mai. iii. 7. ; reft not till 
you have, put the \bufinefs of your eternal welfare 
out of queftion, 1 Pet. ii. 10. O fearcher of hearts, 
put *hou, this foul upon, and help him in his fearch I- 



K 



86 



The Miferiei of 



CHAP. V. 

Showing the miseries of the UNCONVf rted; 

SO unfpeakably dreadful is the cafe of every un- 
converted foul, that I have fometimes thought 
if I could but convince men that they are yet ua- 
regenerate, the work were upon the matter done* 
Put I fadly experience, that fuch a fpirit of floth 
2nd /lumber (Rom, xi. 8. Mat. xiii. 15.) pofTefTeth 
She unfan£tified,that tho'they beconvinced that they 
are yet unconverted, yet they oftentimes carelefsly 
fit ftill; and what through the avocation of fenfual 
pleafures, or hurry of worldly bufinefs, or noife and 
clamour of earthly cares, and lufts, and affections, 
Luke viii. 1 4. the voice of confcience is drowned, and 
men go no farther than fome cold wifhes, and general 
purpofes of repenting and amending, Jcis xxiv. 15. 

It is therefore of high neceility that I do not only 
convince men that they are unconverted, but that 
J alfo endeavour to bring thern to a fenfe of the 
fearful mifery of this ftate. 

But here I find my felf a-ground at firfl putting 
forth. What tongue can teli the heirs of hell fuffi- 
ciently of their mifery, unlefs it were Dive/s in that 
flame ? Luke xvi. 24. Where is the ready wrste.% 
whofe pen can decypher their mifery that are u with- 
*' out God in the world?" Eph. ii. 12. This cannot 
fully be done, unlefs we know the infinite ocean of 
that blifs of perfection which is in that God, which 3 
ilate of fin doth exclude men from. " Who knoweth. 
** (faith Mofes) the power of thine anger?" Pjahn 
xc. tl. And how (hall I.tell men- that which I do 
not know ? Yet fo much we know, as one would 
think would ihake the heart of that man that had 
$hg ie&it degree of fpiritual iife and fenfe. 



the Unconverted* 87 

But this Is yet the more poling difficulty, that I 
am to fpeak to them that are without fenfe. Alas! 
this is not the leaft part of man's mifery upon him, 
that he is dead, ftark dead in trefpaifes and fins, 
Epb, ii. 1. - 

Could I bring paradife into view, or repreferit the 
kingdom of heaven to as much advantage as the 
tempter did the kingdoms of the world, and all the 
glory thereof, to our Saviour; or could I uncover the 
face of the deep and devouring gulph ofTophet, in 
all its terrors, and open the gates of the infernal 
furnace, alas 1 he hath no eyes to fee it, Mat. xiii. 
14, 15. Could i paint out the beauties of holinefs, 
or glory of the gofpel to the life; or could I bring 
above-board the more than diabolical deformity 
and uglinefs of fin, he can no more judge of the 
lovelinefs and beauty of the one, and the filthinefs 
and hatefulnefs of the other, than a blind man of 
colours. He is alienated from the life of God thro* 
the ignorance that is in him, becaufe of the blind- 
nefs of his heart, Eph. iv. 18.; he neither doth nor 
can know the things of God, becaufe they are fpi- 
ritually difcemed, 1 Cor. ii. 14.; his eyes cannot 
be favingly opened but by converting grace, dels 
xxvi. 18. ; he is a child of darknefs, and walks in 
darknefs, 1 John i. 6.; yea, " the light in hirn is 
*« darknefs," Mat. vi. 23. 

Shall I ring his knell, or read his fentence, or 
found in his ea*r the terrible trump of God's judg- 
ment, that one would think mould make both his 
ears to tingle, and ftrike him into Belfhazzar's fit, 
even to appal his countenance, and 3oofen his 
joints, and make his knees fmite one againft ano- 
ther? Yet, alas ! he perceives me not, he hath no 
cars to hear. Or fhall I call up the daughters of 



'-S3 The Miferks of 

•j ' ' ' ' 

mufic, and ting the fong of Mofes and of the Lamb? 

Yet he will not be (Hrred. Shall 1 allure him with 

the joyful found, and lovely forrg, and glad tiding* 

of the gofpel; with the moil £weet,an4 inviting 

calls, comforts, and cordials of the divine promifes, 

fo exceedingly grea^ and precious ? It will not afFeft 

him favingiy, unlets I could find him ears, Mat. 

xiii. 15. as well as tell him the news. 

Which way ihall I come at the miierable objects 
that I h£ye to deal with ? Who fhall make the 
heart of done to relent I Zecb. vii. 11, 12. or the 
lifelefs carcafe to feel and move ? That God alone 
that '* is able of ftones to raife up children unto 
" Abraham," Mat. iii. 9,4 " that raifeth the dead,'* 
I Cor. i. 9. and " melteth the mountains," Neb. i. 
and ftrikes water out of the flints, Deut. viii. 15. 5 
that loves to work like himfelf, beyond the hope 
and belief of man ; that peopleth his church with 
dry bones, and planteth his orchard with dry ftick*; 
he is able to do this. " Therefore I bow my knee 
" to the moft high God," Epb. iii. 14. and cur Sa- 
viour prayed at the fepulchre of Lazarus, John xn 
38, 41. and the Shunamite ran to the man of God 
'for her dead child* 2 Kings iv. 25 : fo doth your, 
mourning minifter kneel about your .graves, and 
carry you in the arms of prayer to that God in 
whom your help is found. 

" O thou all-powerful Jehovah, that worketb, 
€i and none can hinder thee ! thou hail the key of 
** death and hell, pity thou the poor fouls that lie 
€t here entombed, and roll away the grave-ftorre, 

and fay, as to Lazarus, Come forth : Lighten 
*f thou this dark nets, O inacceffible Light, and let 
4i the day-fpring from on high, vifit the dark re- 

gions of the dead, to whom I fpeak, for thou 



the Unesnmened* 



u canft open the eyes that death itfelf hath do fed • 
• c Thou that formedft: the ear, canft reftore the 
,s hearing: Say thou to thefe ears, Ephphatha, and 
<c they fhall be opened. Give thou eyes to fee thine 
• c excellencies, a tafle that may relifh thy fweetnefs, 
** a fee nt that may favour thy ointments, a feeling 
** that may difcern the privilege of thy favour, the 
*• burden of thy wrath, the intolerable weight of 
* c unpardoned fin ; and give thy fervants order to 

prophefy to the dry bones; and let the efFecls of 
•* this prophecy be as thofe of thy prophet, when 
** he propbefiea the valley of dry bones into a living 
<c army, exceeding great, )9 Ezek. xxxvii. i, &c. 

But I mufi proceed, as I am able, to unfold that 
snyftery which, I cohfefa, no tongue can fully unfold, 
'no heart can thoroughly comprehend. — . Know, 
therefore, that while thou art unconverted, 

I ft, <{ The infinite God is engaged againft thee." 
It is no final! part of thy mifery that thou art with- 
out God, Eph. ii. 12. How doth Micah run cry- 
ing .after the Danites, u Ye have taken away my 

gods, and what have I more F* Judges xviii. 
23, 24. O what a mourning then mufi thou lift 
up that art without God, that canfl lay no claim 
to him without daring ufurpation ! Thou may eft 
fay of God, as Sheba of David, " We have no part 
*' in David, neither have we inheritance in the foa 
*' of Jefle, " 2 Sam. xx. 1 . How painful and piercing 
a moan is that of Saul in his extremity ! *' The Phi- 
4< Mines are upon me," and " God is departed from 
*' ir,c!" 1 Sam. xxviii. 15. But what will ye do, O 
finners, in your day of viiitation ! Whither will ye 
flee for help? where will you leave your glory ? Ifa* 
at. 3. What will ye do when the PhiliSines are 



,90 ?Tbe Mifer-ks &f 

upon you; when the world (hall take its eternal leave 
of you ; when you muft bid your friends, houfes, and 
lands farewel for evermore? What will ye do then, 
I fay, that have no God to go to! Will you call on 
him? Will you cry to him for help ? Alas! he will 
not own you, Pro-v. i. 28, 29.; he will not take any 
notice of you, but fend you away with " I never 
*• knew you," Mat. vii. 23. They that know what 
it is to have a God to go to, a God to live upon, they 
know a little what a fearful mifery it is to be with- 
out God. This made that holy man cry out, " Let 
*' me have a God, or nothing. Let me know him 
** and his will, and what will pleafe him, and how 

I may come to enjoy him ; or would I had never 
*' had an understanding to know any thing," &c. 

But thou art not only without God, but God is 
againft thee, Exek. v. 8, 9. Nab. it. 13. O ! if 
God would but ftand neuter, though he did not 
own or help the poor firmer, his cafe were not fo 
deeply miferable, tho* God mould ,eive up the poor 
creature to the will of his enemies to do their 
worft with him; though he lhould deliver him over 
to the tormentors, Mat* xviii. 34.; that devils 
lhould tear and torture him to their utmolt power 
and fkill, yet this were not half fo fearful. But 
God will let himfelf againft the tinner; and, be- 
lieve it, " it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands 
" of the living God," Heb. x. 31.; there is no 
friend like him, no enemy like him : As much as 
heaven is above the earth- — Omnipoter.cy above 
impotency— Infinity above nullity — fo much mere 
horrible is it to fall into the hands of the living Gcd, 
than into the paws of bears or lions, yea, furies or 
devils; God himfelf will be thy tormentor; thy de- 
firu&ion fhalJ come from ths prefence of the Lord, 



The Uncenvertsd* 



53 



2 Theft, i. 9. " Tophet is deep and large, and 
" the wrath of the Lord, like a river of brim Hone, 
«* doth kindle it,'* I/a. xxx. 33. u If God be 
" againft thee, who fiiall.be for thee? If one man fin 
f< againft another, the judge (hall judge him; but 
" if a man fin againft the Lord, who ftiall intreat 
* for him?" 1 Sam. ii. 15. " Thou, even thou 
«' art to be feared ; and who fhall Hand in thy fight 
" when once thou art angry ?" P/alm Ixxvi. 7^ 
•* Who is that God who fhall deliver you out of 
t( his hands?" Dan. iii. 15. Gan Mammon ? 
-< Riches profit not in the day of wrath," Prc<v. xL 
4.. — Can kings or warriors? No: " They fhall cry 
€< to the mountains and rocks to fall on them, aiid 
V hide them from the face of him that fitteth or 
" the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 
for the great day of his wrath is come, and who 
*' fhali be able to ftand?" Rev. vi. 15, 17. 

Sinner, methinks this fhould go like a dagger 
to thy heart, to know that God is thine enemy ; 
C, whither wilt thou go? Where wilt thou fhelter 
hee ? There is no hope for thee, unlefs thou lay 
down thy weapons, and fue out thy pardon, and get 
Chrift to ftand thy friend, and make thy peace : if 
it were not for this, thou mighteft go into fome howl- 
ing wildernefs, and there pine in forrow y and rua 
mad for anguifh of heart and horrible defpair : 
But in Chrift there is a pofiibility of mercy for 
thee; yea, a proffer of mercy to thee, that thout 
xnayeft have God more for thee than he is now 
againft thee; but if thou wilt not forfake thy fins, 
nor turn thoroughly and to fome purpofe to God, 
by a found converfion, the wrath of God abideth 
on thee, and he proclaimeth himfelf to be againlt 
thee, as in the prophet Eaekiel, thap. v, 8.— 



The Miferies *f 



" Therefore, thus faith the Lard God, * Behold, 
** I, even I, am againft thee." 

L " His face h againft thee, Pfal. xxxiv. 16. 
u The face of the Lord is againft them that do 
" eviJ, to cut off the remembrance of them/' Wo 
unto them whom God lhall fet his face againft. 
When he did but look on the hoft of the Egyp- 
tians, how terrible was the confequence I Ezek. 
xiv. 8. " I will fet my face againll that man, and 
" will make him a fign and a proverb, and will 
<c cut him off from the midft of my people, and 
*' you (hall know that I am the Lord." 

II. " His heart is againft thee.*' He hateth all 
the workers of iniquity; man, doth not thy heart 
tremble to think of thy being an object oF God's 
hatred ?" Jer. xv. I. " Tho* Mofes and Samuel 
*' flood before me, yet my mind could not be 
" towards this people; call them out of my fight,** 
Zecb. xi. 8. *' My foul lothed them, and their 
fouls alfo abhorred me." - 

III. " His hand is againft thee," i Sam. xii. 
14, 15. All his attributes are againft thee. 

Firft. His juftice is like a flaming fword un* 
fheathed againft thee: " If 1 whet my glittering 
st fword, and my hand take hold on judgment, I 
** will render vengeance to mine adverfaries, and 
1* will reward them that hate me: I will make mine 
" arrows drunk with blood/' Deut. xxxii. 40. 4!. 

So exact is Juftice, that it will by no mean's 
clear the guilty, Exod. xxxiv. 7. God will not 
cifcharge thee, ** he will not hold thee guiltlefs,'* 
Excd. xx. 7. ; but will require the whole debt in 
perfon of thee; unlefs thou canft make a fcripture- 
claim to Ch rift, and his fatisfaction. When the 
enlightened finner looks on Juftice, and fees the 



The Unconverted* $3 

alance in which he is to be weighed, and the 
fword by which he muft be executed, he feels an 
earthquake in his breafl: But Satan keeps this out 
of fight, and perfuades the foul (while he can) that 
the Lord is all made up of mercy, and fo lulls -it 
afleep in fin. Divine Juftice is very ftricl, it mult 
have fatisfa&ion to the utmofl farthing, it de- 
ttounceth ** indignation and wraths tribulation and 
41 anguilh, to every foul that doeth evil*" &oM. i'u 
8, 9. ** It curfeth every one that continueth not 
r * in every thing that is written in the law to da 
" it, 5 ' GaL iii. 10, The juftice of God to the 
unpardoned finner, that hath a fenfe of his mifery, 
is more terrible than the fight of the bailiff or 
creditor to the bankrupt debtor, or than the fight 
of the judge and bench to the robber, or of the irons 
and gibbet to the guilty murderer. When Juftice 
fits upon life and death, O what a dreadful work 
doth it make with the wretched finner ( " Bind hira 
** hand and foot, and caft him into outer darknefs * 
** there fhall be weeping and gnafhing of teeth,** 
Mat. xxiu 1 3. " Depart from me, ye curfed* 
into everlafting fire," Mat* xx. 41. This is 
the terrible fentence that Juftice pronounceth. 
Why, finner, by this fevere juftice muft thou be 
tried ! And, as God liveth, this killing fentence 
ihalt thou bear, unlefs thou repent and be con- 
verted. 

Secondly, " The holinefs of God is full of anti- 
pathy againft thee/' Pfalm v. 4, 5. He is not 
only, angry with thee (fo he may be with his owa 
children) but he hath a fixed, rooted, habitual dif- 
pleafure againft thee, ** He lothes thee," Zech. 
xi. 8. And what is done by thee, though in fub- 
ftance commanded by him, I/a. i. 14. MaU i* io» 



Tfa Mi/erhs of 



<jgcPs nature is infinitely contrary to fin, and fo he 
cannot but hate a finner out of Chrift. 

O, what mifery is this, to be out of tbe favour, 
yea, under the hatred of Gcd! Eccief. v. 6. Hc/l 
ix. 15. ; that God, who can as eafily lay alide his 
nature, and ceafe to be God, as to be contrary to 
thee, and deceit thee, except thou be changed and 
Tenewed by grace. O fmner, how dareft thou 
to think of the bright and radiant fun of purity, of 
the beauties, the glory of hoiinefs that is in God! 
*' The liars are not pure in his fight," Joh xxv. 5. 
*' He humbles himfelf to behold things that are 
* 6 done in heaven," Pfalm cxiii. 6. O thofe light 
and fparkling eyes of his I What do they fpy in 
thee ? And thou hall no intereft in Chrift neither, 
that he Ihould plead for thee. Methinks he mould 
hear thee crying out (aftonilhed) with the Bethfhe- 
inites, " Who lhall ftand before this Lord God !'* 
I Sam. vx. 20. 

Thirdly, 46 The power of God is mounted like 
" a mighty cannon againft thee." The glory of 
God's power is to be difplayed in the wonderfut 
confulion and deftru&ion of them that obey not the 
gofpel, 2 Thtffl i. 8, 9. He will u make his power 
" known in them," Rom. ix. 22. How mightily he 
can torment them, for this end he raifed them ap 
*' that he may make his power known," Rom. ix. 17. 
O man! Art thou able to make thy part good with 
thy Maker? No more than a filly reed againft the 
cedars of God, or a little cock-boat againft the tum- 
bling ocean, or the children's bubbles againft the 
bluftering winds. Sinner, the power of God's anger 
is againft thee, Pf. xc. 11. ; and power and anger to- 
gether make fearful work; it were better thou badfl 
all the world in arms againft thee, than to have the 



The Unconverted. 



9$ 



power of God againft thee. There is no efcaping* 
his hands, no breaking hh prifon. 44 The thunder 
* 4 of his power who can underftand r" Job xxvi. 
14. Unhappy man, that fhall underftand it by 
feeling it! <£ If he will contend with him, he can- 
« 4 not anfwer him one of a thoufand. He is wife 
*• in heart, and mighty in ftrength : Who hath: 
** hardened himfelf againft him and profpered ? 
* 4 Which removeth the mountains, and they know 
4i it not ; which overturneth them in his anger 5. 

which fhaketh the earth out of her place, and the 
€i pillars thereof tremble; which commandeth the 
* i fun, and it rifeth not, and fealeth up the ftars ? 
44 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him ? 
Who will fay unto him, What doeft thou? If 
44 God will not withdraw his anger, the proud 
* 4 helpers do Hoop under him," Job ix. 5, c5V. 
And art thou a fit match for fuch an antagonift } 
44 O confider this, you that forget God, left he 
44 tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver 
you," P/al. 1. 22. Submit to mercy, let not duft 
and ftubble Hand cut againft the Almighty; fet not 
Jbriars and thorns againft him in battle, left he ga 
through them, and con fume them together; but 
Jay hold on his ftrength, that you may 44 make 
• 4 peace with him," ]Ja. xxvii. 4, 5. " Wo unta 
44 him that ftriveth with his Maker," lfa. xlv. 9. 

Fourthly, 44 The wifdom of God is fet to ruin 
44 thee." He 44 hath ordained his arrows, and 
44 prepared inftruments of death, and made all 
*• things ready," PfaL vii. 12, 13. His counfels 
are againft thee, to contrive thy deftruftion, Jer. 
3cviix. 21. He laughs to fee how ihoii wilt be taken 
and enfnared in the evil day, Pfalm xxxvii. 13. 
* The Lord fhall laugh at him, lor he feeth that 



9 6 



The Mif tries cf 



** the day is coming." He Tees how thou wilt 
some down mightily in a moment: how thou wilt 
wring thy hands, tear thy hair, eat thy fklh, and 
gnafh thy teeth for angniih and aftonifhment of 
heart, when thou feeft thou art fallen remedilefsly 
into the pit of deftruclion. 

fifthly, " The truth of God is fworn againft 
*2 thee," Pfal. xcv. n. If he be true and faith- 
ful, thou mull perifh, if thou goeft on, LuJcexn\. 3. 
Unieis he be faife to his word, thou muft die, ex- 
cept thou repent ? Exek. xxxiii. vu " If we be- 
€i iieve not, yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny 

himfeif :" 2 Tim. ii. 13. that is, he is faithful 
to his threatenings as well as promifes, and will 
fhevv his faithfulnefs to cur confufion, if we believe 
not. God hath told thee, as plain as it can be 
fpoken, that " if he walk thee not, thou baft no 
•« part in him," John xiii. 8. ; that " if thou liveft 
t* after the jtefh thou malt die," Rom, viii. 13.; 
that " except thou be converted thou fha!t in no 
** wife enter into the kingdom of heaven," Mat. 
xviii. 3.; and he abideth faithful, he cannot deny 
himfeif. Beloved, as the immutable faithfulnefs of 
God in his promife and oath affords believers 
ftrong confolation, Heb. vi. 18. fo they are to un- 
believers for ftrong confirmation and confufion* 
O fmner, tell me, what fhift doft thou make to 
think of all the threatening^ of God's word, that 
itand upon record againft thee r Doit thou believe 
they are truth or not . ? If not, thou art a wretched 
infidel, and not a Chriftian, and therefore give 
over the name and hopes of a Chriftian. But if 
thou doft believe them, O heart of fteel that thou 
' haft, that canft #alk up and down in quiet, when 
the truth and faithfulnefs of God is engaged $0 



the Unconverted* 



9? 



deftroy thee ! So that if the Almighty can do it* 
thou ftialt (urely perifh and be damned, Y/hy, 
man ! the whole book of God doth te&ify againft 
thee, while thou remainefl unfan&ified : It con-, 
demns thee in every leaf, and is to thee like 
EzekiePs roll, " written withm and without with 

lamentation, and mourning, and wo," Ezek. ii» 
jo, ; and all this fhall furely come upon thee, and 
overtake thee, Deut. xxviii. 15. except thou re^ 
pent: " Heaven and earth fhall pafs away, buc 
6t one jot or tittle of this word fiiaH never pais 
** away,'' Mat. v. 18. 

Now put all this together, and tell me if the 
cafe of the unconverted be riot deplorably refer- 
able: As we read of fome perfons that had bound 
themfelves in au oath, and in a curfe to kill Paul; 
fo thou muft know, O firmer, to thy error, that all 
the attributes of the infinite God are bound in an, 
path to deftroy thee, Heb. iii. 18. O man ! What 
wilt thou do I Whither wilt thou flee? If God's 
cmmfciency can find thee, thou fhalt not efcape 1 
If the true and faithful God will fave his oath, 
perifh thou muft, except thou believe and repent : 
If the- Almighty hath power to torment thee, thou 
(halt be perfectly miferable in foul and body to all 
eternity, unlefs it be prevented by fpeedy converfion. 

II. *.* The whole creation of God is againft 
<* thee." 4i The whole creation, fait^i Paul, groan- 
** eth and travaileth in pain," Rom, viii. 22. But 
what is it the creation groaneth und£r ? Why, the 
fearful abufe that it is fubjeft to, in ferving the 
Juft of unfan&ihed men. And what is it that ths 
creation groaneth for ? Why, for freedom and li- 
berty from this abufe j for the creature is very 



9 8 



The Miferies of 



M unwillingly fubjec~l to this bondage," Rom. viiu 
19, 2i, If the unreafonable and inanimate crea- 
tures had fpeech and reafon, they would cry out 
under it as a bondage unfufferable to be abufed by 
the ungodly, contrary to their natures and the ends 
that the great Creator made them for. While the 
Lord of Hofts is againft thee, be fure the hoft of 
the Lord is againft thee, and all the creatures as 
it were up in arms, till upon a man's converfion, 
the controverfy is taken up between God and 
him, he makes a covenant of peace with the crea- 
tures for him, J oh. xxii. 21, 24. Ho/, ii. 18, 20. 

III. " The roaring lion hath his full power upoa 
" thee," 1 Pet. v. 8. Thou art fail in the paw 
of that lion that is greedy to devour ; in the fnare 
of the devil, led captive by him at his will, 2 Tim*. 
ii. 26. This is the fpirit that worketh in the 
children of disobedience, Epb. ii. 2. ; his drudges 
they are, and his luft they do. He is ruler of the 
darknefs of this world* Epb. vi. 1 2. that is, of ig- 
norant finners that live in darknefs. You pity the 
poor Indians that worfhip the devil for their god, 
but little think it is your own cafe. Why it is 
the common mifery of all the unfanctified, that 
the devil is their god, 2 Cor. iv. 4. Not that 
they do intend to do him h'omage and worfhip, 
they will be ready to defy him, and him tha£ 
fhouid fay fo by them ; but all this while they 
ferve him, and come and go at his beck, ar\d live 
under his government ; His fervants ye are tQ> 
" whom you yield yourfelves to obey," Rom. vi.. 
16. Doubtlefs the liar intends not a fervice to 
Satan, but his own advantage ; yet it is he that 
flands in the corner unobferved, and putteth the 
things into his heart, Acts v. 3. John viii. 44.: 



the Unconverted. 9^ 

Queftionlefs, Judas, when he fold his mailer for 
money, and the Chaldaeans and Sabeans, when they 
plundered Job, intended not to do the devil a 
pleafure, but to fatisfy their own covetous thirft ; 
yet it was he that actuated them in their wicked- 
nefs, Job xiii. 27. Job i. 12, 15, 17. Men may 
be very flaves and drudges for the devil, and never 
know it ; nay, they may pleafe themfelves in the 
thoughts of happy liberty, 2 Pet. ii. 19. 

Art thou yet in ignorance, and not turned from 
darknefs to light? Why, thou art under the power 
of Satan, ASis xvi. 18. Doft thou live in the or- 
dinary and wilful practice of any known, fin? know 
that thou art of the devil, 1 John iii. 8. Doft thou 
live in ftrife, or envy, or malice? Verily, he is thy 
father, John viii. 40, 41. O dreadful cafe! How* 
ever Satan may provide his flaves with divers plea- 
fures, Titus iii. 3.; yet it is but to draw them into 
cndlefs perdition. The ferpent comes with the 
apple in his mouth, O ! but (with Eve) thou feeft 
not the deadly fling in his tail. He that is now 
thy tempter, will be one day thy tormentor. O, 
that I could but give thee to fee how black a maf- 
ter thou ferveft, how filthy a drudgery thou doft,. 
how mercilefs a tyrant thou gratifieft, all whofe 
pleafure is to fet thee on work to make thy perdi- 
tion and damnation fure, and to heat the furnace 
hotter and hotter, in which thou mud burn for 
millions and millions of ages. 

IV. " The guilt of all thy fins lies like a moun- 
" tain upon thee," Poor foul! thou feeleft it not, 
but this is that which feals thy mifery upon thee.-— 
While unconverted, none of thy fins can be blotted 
out, Ads iii. 19. ; they are all upon the fcore 
I 2 



100 



The Miferm of 



again ft thee. Regeneration and remiffion are neve* 
juftified and unpardoned, I Ccr. vi. li. i Pet* 
i. 2. Heb. ix. 4. Beloved, it is a fearful thing 
to be in debt, but above all, in God's debt ; for 
there is no arreft fo formidable as his, no prifon fo 
horrible as his. Look upon an enlightened (inner, 
who feels the weight of his own guilt, O how 
Frightful are his looks, how fearful are his com- 
plaints ! his comforts are turned into wormwood, 
and his moiflure into drought, and his fleep is de- 
parted from his eyes. 

How light foever you may make of it now, you 
Will one day find the guilt of unpardoned fin to be 
a heavy burden : It is a mill-ftone, " whoever 
" falleth upon it ihall be broken, but upon whom- 
" foever it ffcall fall, it ihall grind him to povv- 
" der," Mat. xxi. 44. What work did it make 
with our blelfed Saviour! It prefled the very blood 
cut of his veins, and broke all his bones ; And if 
it did this in the green tree, what will it do in the 
dry? 

O think of thy cafe in time ! Canft thou think 
of that threat without trembling, " Ye fhali die 
" in -your fins ?" John vii. 24. O better were it 
for thee to die in a gaol, in a ditch, in a dungeon, 
than to die in thy fins. If death, as it will take 
away all thy other comforts, would take away thy 
fins too, it were fome mitigation; but thy fins will 
follow thee when thy friends leave thee, and all 
worldly enjoyments make hands with thee : Thy 
fins will not die with thee, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rev. xx. 
12. ; as a prifone-'s other debts will, but they will 
to judgment with thee, there to be thy accufers ; 
and they wiil to heli with thee, there to be thy 
tormentors. Better to have fo many fiends and 



the Unconverted. 



101 



funes about thee, than thy fins to fall upon thee 
and fatten on thee. O the work that thefe will 
make thee ! O look over thy debts in time, how 
much thou art in the books of every one of God's 
. Jaws ; how is every one of God's commandments 
ready to arreft thee, and feize thee by the throat, 
for the innumerable bonds it hath upon thee? What 
wilt thou do then, when they fhall all together 
come in againft thee ? Hold open the eyes of con- 
fcience to conlider this, that thou mayeft defpair 
of thyfelf, and be driven to Chriny and <c fly for 
** refuge to lay hold of the hope that is fet before 
" thee," BeL vi. 18. 

V. " Thy raging lulls do miferably enflave 
" thee." While unconverted $ou art a very fer- 
vant of fin, it reigns over thee, and holds thee un- 
der its dominion, till thou art brought within the 
bonds of God's covenant, John viii. 35, 36. Titut 
iii. 3. Rom. vi. 12, 14. and vi. 16, 17. Now there 
is not fuch another tyrant as fin : O the filthy and 
fearful work that it doth engage its fervants in ! 
Would it not pierce a man's heart to fee a company 
of poor creatures drudging and toiling only to heap 
up faggots to burn themfelves ! Why, this is the 
conflant employment of all fin's- drudges ; Even 
while they biefs themfelves in their unrighteous 
gains, while they iing and fvvill in pleafures, they 
are but treafuring up wrath and vengeance for 
their eternal burning; they are but laying in pow- 
der and bullet, and adding to the pile or Tophet, 
and flinging in oil to make the flame rage the fiercer. 
Who would ferve fuch a mailer, whole work is 
drudgery, and whofe wages is death ? Rom, vi, 23. 

What « woful fpe&acte was she poor wretch who 
* 3 



102 



The Mi/erhs of 



was poffefied with the legion ! Would it not hava 
grieved thy heart to have feen him among the 
tombs cutting and wounding himfelf ? Mark v. 5. 
This is thy cafe, fuch is thy work, every ftroke is 
a thruft at thy heart, 1 Tim. vi. 10. Conference 
Indeed is now afleep, but when death and judg- 
ment fhall bring thee to thy fenfes, then wilt thou 
feel the raging fmart and anguifh of every wound. 

VI. " The furnace of eternal vengeance is 
* 4 heated ready for thee," I/a. xxx. 33. Hell and 
deftruction open their mouths upon thee, M they 
*' gape and groan for thee," chap. v. 14.; wait- 
ing as it were with a greedy eye, as thou ftandeft 
en the brink, when thou wilt drop in. If the 
wrath of man be " as the roaring of a lion," 
Prcv. xx. 2. " more heavy than #the fand," chap. 
xxvii. 3. ; what is the wrath of the infinite God ? 
If the burning furnace, heated in Nebuchadnez- 
zar's fiery rage, when he commanded it to be 
made yet feven times hotter, was fo fierce as ta 
burn up even thofe that drew near it to throw the 
three children in, Dan. iii. 19, 22.; how hot is that 
burning oven of the Almighty's fury ! Mai. iv. 1. 
furely this is feventy times feven more fierce. — 
" 4< Can thy heart endure or can thy hands be ftrong 
ft in the day that I fhall deal with thee, faith the 
«* Lord of Hods ?" EzeL xxii. 14. " Canft'thou 
" abide everlafling burnings ? Canft thou dwell 
*' with containing nre ?" La. xxxiii. 14. 

O finner I flop here and coniider ; if thou art a 
man, and not a fenfelefs block, confider; bethink 
thyfelf where thou (landed ; why upon the very 
brink of this furnace. As the Lord liveth, and 
* c as thy foul liveth, there is but one ftep between 
11 $hfe an^i it,'' l Sam* xx. 3. Thou knoweil not 



the Unconverted* 



when thou lieft down, but thou mayeft be in it be- 
fore the morning : Thou knoweft not when thou 
rifeftV but thou mayeft drop in before night. Dareft 
thou make light of this ? Wilt thou go 6n in fuch 
a dreadful condition as if nothing ailed thee ? If 
thou putteft it off, and fayeft, " This doth not 
" belong to thee :" look again over the foregoing 
chapter, and tell me the truth ; are none of thefe 
black marks found upon thee? Do not blind thine 
eyes : do not deceive thy felf ; fee thy mifery 
whilft thou mayeft prevent it. Think what it is 
to be ^ vile out-caft, a damned reprobate, a veffel 
of wrath, into which the Lord will pour cut his 
tormenting fury while he hath a being, Rom* ix. 22. 

VII. " The law difcharges all its threats and 
** curfes at thee," GaL iii. 10. Deut. xxviii. O 
how dreadful doth it thunder ! it fpits fire and 
brimftone in thy face ; its words are as drawn 
fwords, and as the (harp arrows of the mighty ; it 
demands fatisfattion to the utmoft, and cries Juf- 
tice t Jujiice ! It fpeaks blood, and war, and 
wounds, and death againft thee. O the execra- 
tions, and plagues, and deaths that this murdering 
piece is loaded with ! (read Deut. xxviii. 15, &c) 
and thou art the mark at which this mot is levelled. 
* c O man, away to thy ftrong hold," Zecb. ix. 12.; 
away from thy fins ; hafte to the fan&uary, the 
city of refuge, Heb* xiii. 13. even the Lord Jefus 
Chrift; hide thee in him, or elfe thou art loft 
without any hope of recovery. 

VIII. " The gofpel itfelf bindeth the fentence 
€< of eternal damnation upon thee," Mark xvi. 16. 
If thou continueft in thine impenitent and uncon- 
verted ftate, know that the gofpel denounceth a 
much forer condemnation that ever would have 



104 



The Miferies of 



been for the tranfgreflion only of the firft covenant, 
Is it not a dreadful cafe, to have the gofpel itfelf 
thunder out threats of damnation ? To have " the 
" Lord roar from mount Sion againft thee?'* Joel 
iii. 16. " Hear the terror of the Lord : He that 
u believeth not fhall be damned.— Except ye re- 
** pent ye mail all perifh," Luke xiii. 3. Ci This 
*.* is the condemnation, that light is come into the 
€C world, and men lovedarknefs rather than light," 
John iii. 19. " He that believeth not, the wrath 
" of God abideth on him," John iii. 36. " If the 

word fpoken by angels was itedfaft, and every 
€i tranfgreflion and difohedience received a ju.lt re- 
€< compence of reward, how {hall we efcape if we 
" negled fo greet falvation ?" Heb. ii. 2, 3. " He 
" that defpifed MGfes's law, died without mercy ; 
*' Of how much forer punilhment fhall he be thougt 
c « worthv, that hath trampled under foot the Son of 
" God/' Heb. x. 28, 29. 

Application. And is this true indeed ? Is this 
thy mifery ? Yea, it is as true as God is. Better t 
open thine eyes and fee it now, while thou rnayeft 
remedy it, than blind and harden thy felf, till, t'o thy 
eternal forrow, thou (halt feel what thou wouldelfc 
not believe: And if it be true, what *£oft thou 
mean to loiter and linger in fuch a cafe as this ? 

Hear what the Lord faith : " Fear ye not me, 
" faith the Lord, will ye not tremble at my pre- 
'« fence z"'Jer. v. 22. O finners, do you make 
light of the wrath to come? Mat. iii. 7. Iam 
Aire there is a time coming when you will not make 
light of it. Why, the very devils do believe and 
tremble, James ii. 19. What ! are you more - 
hardened than they ? Will you run upon the edge 
of the rock? Will you play at the hole of the afp? 



the Unconverted, 205 

Will you put your hand upon the cockatrice's 
den ? Will you dance upon the fire till you are 
burnt ? Or dally with devouring wrath, as if yoa 
were indifferent whether you did efcape or endure; 
it? G madnefs of folly i Solomon's madman that 
cafteth firebrands, arrows, and death, and faith, 
j *' Am I not in jeft ?" Pro<v. xxvi. i8. — There is 
nothing fo diltra&ed as the wilful finner, Luke 
1 xv. 17.; that goeth on in his unconverted Hate, 
j without fenfe, as if nothing ailed him. The mam 
that runs on into the cannon's mouth, and fports 
j with his blood, or lets out his life in a frolic, is fen- 
j fible, fober, and ferious, to him that goeth on ftill 
in his trefpaCes, Pfalm Ixviii. 21 : for <r he ftretch« 
** eth out his hand againft God, and ftrengthens 
t( himfelf againft the Almighty ; he runneth upon, 
*' him, even upon, his neck, upon the thick boffes 
** of his buckler," Job xv, 25, 26. Is it wifdom to* 
dally with the fecond death, or to venture into ths 
lake that burneth with fire and brimftone ? Rev* 
\ xxi. 8. ; as if thou wert but going to warn thee/or 
to fwim for thy recreation? What {hall t fay, I cart 
find out no expreflion, no comparifon, whereby to 
fet forth the dreadful diftradtion of chat foul that 
continues to go on in fin, 

Avvakej awake, Epb. v. 14. O (inner! arife, and 
take thy flight: There is but one door that thou 
mayeft flee by, and that is the (traight door of con- 
verfion and the new birth. Unlefs thou turn un- 
feignedly from all thy fins, and come to Jefus 
Chrift, and take him for " the Lord thy righte- 
** oufnefs," and walk in him in holinefs and new- 
nefs of life; as the Lord liveth, it is not more cer- 
tain that thou art now out of hell, than that thou 
fhak without fail be in it but a few days or nights 



ic5 



the Miferies of 



from hence. O fet thy heart to think of thy cafe* 
Is not thine everlafting mifery or welfare that 
which doth deferve a little confederation ? Look 
sgain over the miferies of the unconverted. If 
the Lord hath not fpoken by me, regard me not; 
tut if it be the very word of God, that all this 
mifery lies upon thee, what a cafe art thou in ! 
Is it for one that hath his fenfes to live in fuch a 
condition, and not to make all pcflible expedition 
for preventing his utter ruin? O man! who hath 
bewitched thee? GaU iii. I. that in the prefent 
life thou fhouldeft be wife enough to fbrecaft thy 
bufinefs, forefee thy danger, and prevent thy mil- 
chief; but in matters of everlafting. confequence 
ihouldeft be flight and carelefs, as if they little 
concerned thee. Why, is it nothing to thee, to 
liave all the attributes of God engaged againft thee? 
Canft thou do well without his favour? Canft 
thou efcape his hands, or endure his vengeance ? 
Doft thou hear the creation groaning under thee, 
and hell groaning for thee, and yet think thy cafe 
good enough ? Art thou in the paw of the lion, 
under the power of corruption, in the dark noi- 
fome prifon, fettered with lulls, working out thy 
own damnation; and is not this worth the confider- 
ing? Wilt thou make light of all the terrors of 
the law, of all its curfes and thunderbolts, as if 
they were but the report of children's pop-guns, 
or thou wert to war with their paper pellets? Doft 
thou laugh at hell and deftruc"tion, or canft thou 
drink the envenomed cup of the Almighty's fury, 
as it were but a common potion ? 

" Gird up now thy loins like a man, for I will 
u demand of thee, and anfwer thou me," Job. xl. 



the Unconverted. 107 

7. Art thou fuch a leviathan, as that the fcales 
1 of thy pride mould keep thee from thy Maker V 
j coming at thee ? Wilt thou efteem his arrows as 
I ftraw, and the inftruxuents of death as rotten wood ? 
Art thou chief of all the children of pride, even 
that thou (houldeft count his darts as flubbis, and 
laugh at the making of his fpear? Art thou made 
without fear, and contemned his barbed irons? jfofr 
j xli. Art thou like the horfe that paweth in the 
valley, and rejoiceth in his ftrength, who eoeth out 
j to meet the armed men ? Dolt thou* mods at fear, 
1 and art not affrighted, neither turned back from 
j God's fword, when his quiver rattleth againft thee* 
' the glittering fpear and the fhield? Job zxxlxl 2i 9 
23. Well, if the threats and calls of the word will 
not frighten thee, nor awaken thee, I am fare death 
and judgment will. O, what wilt thou do when, 
the Lord cometh forth againft thee, and in his fury 
falleth upon thee, and thou fhalt feel what thou 
i readeft ? If, when Daniel's enemies were caft into* 
the den of lions, both them and their wives and 
their children, the lions had the rnaftery of them, 
and broke their bones in pieces or ever they came 
at the bottom of the den, Dan. vi. 24.; what mail 
be done with thee when thou falleft into the hands 
of the living God, when he fhall gripe thee in his 
iron armp, and grind and crufh thee into a thoufand 
pieces in his wrath ? 

O do not then contend with God ! " Repent 
cc and be converted," fo none of this (hall come 
upon thee, J/a. Iv. 6, 7. " Seek ye the Lord 
** while he may be found; call upon him while he 
is near; Let the wicked forfake his way, and the 
j. ^unrighteous man his thoughts ; Jet him return 



Directions for Converfion* 



*' unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on him* 
*f and to our God, for he will abundantly par- 
•« don." 

CHAP. VI. 

Containing Directions for Conversion, 

Mark X. 27. And there came one, and kneeled to him 9 
and ajked him> Good Majjer y what Jhall I do that J 
may inherit eternal life. 

BEFORE thou readeft thefe Direclions, I ad- 
vife thee, yea I charge thee before God and 
jris holy angeis, that thou refolve to follow them 
£as far as confcience would be convinced of their 
agreeablenefs to God's word and thy itate) and 
Call in his afliitance and blefTing, that they may 
iucceed: And as I have fought the Lord, and con- 
fulted his oracles what advice to give thee, fo mull 
thou entertain it with that awe, reverence, and 
purpofe of obedience, that the word of the living 
God doch require. 

Now then attend : " Set thine heart unto all 
44 that I fhall teftify unto thee this day ; for it is 
*' not a vain thing, it is your life," Deut. xxxii. 46. 
This is the end of all that has been fpoken hitherto, 
to bring you to fet upon turning, and making ufe 
of God's means for your converfion. I would not 
trouble you, nor M torment you before your time," 
with the forethought of your eternal mifery, but 
in order to your making your efcape. Were you, 
ihut up under your prefent mifery without remedy, 
it were but mercy (as one fpeaks) to let you alone, 
that you might cake in. ti${ little £ oor comfort tha$ 



Direfiiom for Con<verJton, 



you are capable of in this world; but you may yet 
be happy, if you do not wilfully refufe the means 
of your recovery : Behold, I hold open the door to 
you ; arife, take your flight : I fet the way of life 
before you, walk in it, and " you fhali live, and 
" not die," Deut. xxx. 19. Jer. vi. 16. It grieves 
jne to think you fnould be your own murderers, 
and throw yourfelves headlong, when God and 
man cries out to you, as Peter in another cafe to 
his matter, " O fpare thyfelf." 

Hear then, O finner! and as ever thou wouldefl 
be converted and faved, embrace the following; 
counfel. 

DireB. I. " Set it down with thyfelf as an un- 
* ( doubted truth, that it is impoflible for thee ever 
ft to get to heaven in this thy unconverted Rate." 
Can any other but Chrift fave thee ? and he tells 
thee he never will do it, except thou be regene- 
rated and converted, Mat. xviii. 3. John iii. 3* 
Doth he not keep the keys of heaven f and canft 
thou get in without his leave? As thou muft, if 
ever thou come thither in thy natural condition* 
without a found and thorough renovation. 

Direft. II. " Labour to get a thorough fight 
" and lively fenfe and feeling of thy fins/' Till 
men are weary and heavy laden, and pricked at 
the heart, and quite fick of finY they will not come 
unto Chrift in his way, for eafe and cure. Nor to 
purpofe inquire, " What mall we do ?" Mat. xi* 
28. Ads H. 7. Mat. ix. 12. They muft fet them-' 
felves down for dead men before they will come 
unto Chrift that they may have life, John v. 4.0. 
Labour therefore to fet all thy fins in order before 
thee, never be afraid to look upon them, but let f&jf 



3IO 



DireSions for CQn*v*rficrt* 



fpirit make diligent fearcb, Pfalm Ixxvii. 6. In- 
quire into thine heart and into thy life; enter into a 
thorough examination of thyfelf, and all thy ways, 
Pfalm cxix. 59. ; that thou mayeft make a full 
difcovery ; and call in the help of God's Spirit, 
and a fenfe of thine own inability hereunto, for it 
is his proper work to convince of fin, Jebn xvi. 
So, ; fpread all before the face of thy confeience 
till thy heart and eyes be fet abroach : Leave not 
driving with God and thy own fcul, till it cry out 
under the fenfe of thy fins, as the enlightened jailor, 
*' What muft I do to be faved ?" Acls xvi. 30. 
To this purpofe, 

" Meditate on the numeroufnefs of thy fins. 5 * 
David's heart failed when he thought of this, and 
ccnfidered that he had more fins than hairs, Pfalm 
Ix. 12. This made him cry out upon the multi- 
tude of God's tender mercies, Pfalm li. 1. The 
loath fome carcafe doth not more hatefully fwarm 
with crawling worms, than an unfan&ified foul with 
■filthy lulls ; they fill the head, the heart, the eyes, 
and mouth of him. Look backward : Where was 
ever the place, what was ever the time, in which 
thou did ft not fin ? Look inward : Wha: part of 
power canfl thou find in foul or body, but it is 
poifoned with fin? What duty doft thou ever per- 
form, into which poifon is not fhed? O, how great 
is the fum of thy debts, who haft been all thy life 
running behind-hand, and never didfi nor canft 
pay ciF one penny ! Look over the fin of thy na- 
ture, and all its curfed brood, the fins of thy life: 
Call to mind the omifiions, commifirons, the fins 
of thy thoughts, words, rnd actions, the fins of 
thy youth, and thofe of thy riper years ; be not 
like a defperate bankrupt, that is afraid to lock 



DireSllons for Converjicin* 



over his books : Read the records of conference 
carefully. Thefe books muft be opened fooner or 
later, Rev. xx. 12. 

'* Meditate qn the aggravation of thy fins, as 
*' they are the grand enemies of the God of thy 
** life, and of the life of thy foul ; in a word, they 
€t are the public enemies of all mankind." How do 
David, Ezra, Daniel, and the good Levites aggra- 
vate their fins, from the confideration of their in- 
jurioufnefs to God, their oppofition to his good 
and righteous laws, the mercies, the warning they 
were committed againft? Neb. ix. Dan. ix. Ezra 
ix. O the work that fin hath made in the world I 
This is the enemy that hath brought in death, 
and hath robbed and enflaved man, that hath, 
backed the devil, that hath digged hell, Rom. v.* 
12. 2 Pet. ii. 4. John viii. 34. This is the ene- 
my that turned the world upfide down, and foweth 
diiTenfion between man and the creatures; betwixt 
man and man; yea, between man and himfe!f r 
fettlng the fenfitive part againft the rational, the 
will againft the. judgment, lull againft confeience; 
yea, worft of all, between God and man; making 
the lapfed finner both hateful to God, and the 
hater of him, Zacb. xi. 8. O man 1 how canft 
thou make fo light of fin ? This is the traitor that 
fucked the blood of the Son of God ; that fold 
him, that mocked him, that fcourged him, that 
fpit in his face, that nailed his hand; that pierced 
his fide, that prefled his foul, that mangled his 
body, that never left him till he had bound him, 
condemned him, nailed him, crucified him, and 
put him to an open fhame, I/a. liii. 4, 6. This 
is that deadly poifon, fo powerful of operation, as 



ii2 



Dirtfiions fcr Converfion* 



that one drop of it, fhsd on the root of mankind, 
hath corrupted, fpoiled, poifoned, and undone his 
whole race at once, Rom. v. 18, 19. This is the 
common butcher, the blocdy executioner, that hath 
Icilled the prophets, burnt the martyrs, murdered 
all the prophets, all the patriarchs, all the kings and 
potentates ; that has deftroyed cities, fwailowed 
empires, butchered and devoured whole nations. 
Whatever was the weapon it was done by, fin was 
it that did the execution, Rom. vi. 23. Doll thou 
yet think it but a fmali thing ? If Adam and all 
his children could be dug out of their graves, and 
their bodies, piled up to heaven, and an inqueft 
"were made, what matchlefs murderer was guilty 
of all this blood ? It would be all found in the 
ikirts of fin. Study the nature of fin till thy heart 
inclines to fear and loath it ; and meditate on the 
aggravations cf thy particular fins, how thou haft 
iinned againft ali God's warnings, againft thy own 
prayers, againft mercies, againft correction, againft 
the cleareft light, againft the freeft love, againft 
thine own refolutions, againft promifes, vows, 
covenants of better obedience, &c. Charge thy 
heart home with thefe things, till it blufti for 
ihame, and be brought out of all good opinion of 
itfelf, Ezra ix. 6. 

" Meditate on the defert of fin.'' It crieth up 
to Heaven ; it calk for vengeance, Gen. xvii. 21. 
Its due wages is death and damnation; it pulls the 
curfe of God upon the foul and body, Gal iii. 10. 
Deut. xxvii. The Jeaft finful word or thought 
lays thee urtder the infinite wrath of God Al- 
mighty, Rom. ii. 8, 9. Mat. xii. 36. O what a 
load of wrath, what a weight of curfes; what a 
treafure of vengeance have all the millions of thy 



Directions for Convsrjion; 



fins then deferved ! Rom. \u 5, James v. 3. O 
judge thyfelf, that the Lord may not judge thee, 
1 Cor. xi. 31. 

" Meditate upon the deformity and defilement 
** of fin." It is as black as hell, the very image 
and likenefs of the devil drawn upon the foul, 
1 John iii. 8, 10. — 'It would more affright thee to 
fee thyfelf in the hateful deformity of thy nature, 
than to fee the devil. There is no mirefo unclean, 
no vomit fo loatK r ome, no carcafe-carrion fo often- 
five, no plague or leprofy fo noifome as fin, in 
which thou art rolled, and covered with its odious 
filth, whereby thou art rendered more difpleafing 
to the pure and holy nature of the glorious God 
than the rnoft filthy objects, compofed of whatever 
is hateful to all thy fenfes, can be to thee, Job xv. 
15, 16. Couldeft thou up take a toad into thy* 
bofom t Couldelt thou cherilh it, and take delight 
in it ? Why, thou art as contrary to the pure and 
perfect holinefs of the divine nature, and as loath- 
ibme as that ifr-to thee, Mat. xxiii. 33.; till thou 
art purified by, the blood of jefus, and the power 
of renewing grace. 

" Above all other fins, fix the eye of thy confi- 
*' deration on thefe two." 1. «* The fin of thy 
" nature." It is to little purpofe to lep the branches, 
while the root of original corruption remains un- 
touched. In vain do men lave out the {beams, 
when the fountain is running that filis up all again. 
Let the a&s of thy repentance (with David's) go 
to the root of fin, Pfal. li. 5. The heart is never 
foundly broken, till thoroughly convinced of the 
heinoufnefs of original fin. Here fix thy thoughts; 
tkis is that which makes thee backward to all good, 



1 14 t>itiBlons for Converfon* 



prone to all evil, Rom. vii. 15. ; that fbeds bh'nd- 
jiefs, pride, prejudice, unbelief into thy mind; en- 
mity, inconftancy, obftinacy, into thy will ; inor- 
dinate heats and colds into thy affections ; infenfi- 
blenefs, benumbednefs, unfaithfulnefs, into thy con- 
science ; flipperinefs into thy memory ; and in a 
word, hath put every wheel of thy foul out of or- 
der, and made of it, an habitation of hoiinefs, to 
"become a very hell of iniquity, James iii. 6. — 
This is what has defiled, corrupted, perverted all 
thy members, and turned them into weapon's of 
unrighteoufnefs, and fervants of fin, Rom. vi. 19. ; 
that hath filled the head with carnal and corrupt 
dcfigns, Mic. ii. I.; the hand with finful practices, 
Ija. i. 13. ; ,the eyes with wandering and wanton- 
nefs, 2 Pet. ii. 14. ; the tongue with deadly poi- 
fojj, James iik 8.; that hath opened the ear to 
tales, flattery, and filthy communication, and fhut 
them againft the inftru&ions of life, Zecb. vii. ji, 
12. ; and hath rendered thy heart a very mint ar^d 
forge for fin, and the curfed womb of all deadly 
conceptions, Mat. xv. ig. | fb that it poureth 
forth its wickednefs without ceafirtg, 2 Pet. ii. 14.; 
even as naturally, freely, and unweariedly, as a 
fountain doth pour forth its waters, Jer. vi. 7* ; 
or the raging fea doth call forth mire and dirt, 
Jfa. lvii. 20. And wilt thou yet be in love with 
thyfelf, and tell us any longer of thylgood heart ? 
O, never leave meditating on the defperate con- 
tagion of original corruption, till, with Ephrairn, 
thou bemoan thyfelf, Jer. xxxi. 18.; and with the 
deepeft fhame and forrow fmife on thy breafr, as 
the publican, Luke xviii. 23.; and with Job, abhor 
thvfelf, and repent in duft and aihes, Job xlii. 6. 
£&ty$ f^TKe particular evil that thou art nwft ad- 



Dir£ftion$ for Converfion* lijg 

I " dieted to :" Find out all its aggravations, fet 
| home upon thy heart all God's threats againft it r 
Repentance drives it before the whole herd, but 
| efpecially fticks the arrow in the beloved fin, and 
Tingles this out above the reft, to run it down, 
j Pjalm xvii. 23. O labour to make this (in odi- 
I" ous to thy foul, and double thy guard and refolu- 
tions againft it, becaufe this hath and doth moft 
difhonour God and endanger thee. 

Dire ft. III. " Strive to affecl: thy heart with a 
! '* due fenfe of thy prefent mifery." Read ovef 
I the foregoing chapter again and again, and get 
' it out of the book into thy heart. O, ftudy thy 
I mifery, till thy heart cries out for Chrift, as ear- 
neftly as ever a drowning man did for a boat, or the 
wounded for a furgeon. Men mod come to fee the 
danger, and feel the fmart of their deadly fores 
and ficknefs, or elfe Chrift will be to them a phy- 
fician of no value, Mat. ix. 12. Then the man- 
flayer haftens to the city of refuge, when purfued 
by the avenger of blood. Men muft be even for- 
ced and tired out of themfelves, or elfe they will 
not come to Chrift. It was diftrefs and extremity 
that made the prodigal think of returning, Luke 
xv. 16, 17. YVhile Laodicea thinks herfelf rich, 
increafed in goods, in need of nothing, there is lit- 
tle hope : She muft be deeply convinced of her 
wretchednefs, blindnefs, poverty, and nakednefs, 
before fhe will come to Chrift for his gold, rai- 
ment, and eye-falve, Rev. iii. 17, 18.; there- 
fore hold the eyes of confcience open, amplify thy 
mifery as much as poflible, do not flee the fight of 
it for fear it fhould fill thee with terror. The fenfe 
of thy mifery is but as it were the fuppuration of 
the wound, which is necefTary to the cure. Better 



1 \ 6 Birefiicns for Converfion. 

fear the torments that abide thee now, than fee! 
them hereafter. 

Dirett. IV* " Settle it upon thy heart, that 
ic thou art under everlafting inability ever to reco- 
** ver thyfelf." Never think thy praying, read- 
ing, hearing, confeffing, amending will work the 
cure | thefe muft be attended to, but thou art un- 
done if thou refteft in them* Rom. x, 3. Thou 
art a loft man, if thou bopeft to efcape drowning on 
any other plank but Jefus Chrift, Aftsiv. 12.— 
Thou muft unlearn thyfelf, and renounce thy own 
wifdom, thy own righteoufnefs, thy own ftrength, 
and throw thyfelf wholly upon Chrift, as a man 
that fwims calls himfeif upon the water* or elfe 
thou canft not efcape. While men truft in them- 
felves, and eftablifh their own righteoufnefs, and 
have confidence in the fleih, they will not come 
iavingly to ChriH, Luke xviii. 9. Phil. iii. 3. — * 
Thou muft know thy gain to be but lofs and dung, 
thy ftrength but weaknefs, thy righteoufnefs rags 
and rottennefs, before there will be an erte&uai 
clofure between Chrift and thee, Phil. iii. 7, 8, 9. 

2 Cor. iii. 5. Ifa, lxiv. 6. Can the Jifelefs car- 
cafe Ihake off its grave-clothes and loofe the bands 
of death ? Then mayeft thou recover thyfelf, who 
art dead in trefpaftes and fins, and under an im- 
pofTibility of ferving thy Maker acceptably in this 
condition, Rom. viii. 8. Heb. x. 6. Therefore 
when thou gceft to pray or meditate, or to do any 
of the duties to which thou art here dire&ed, go 
out of thyfelf, and call in the help of the Spirit, as 
defpairing to do any thing pleating to God in thy 
own ftrength ; yet neglett not thy duty, but iie at 
the pool, and wait in the way of the Spirit.— 
While the eunuch was reading t thea the Holy 



t)irt&ions for Conversion* 1 1 f 

Ghoft did fend Philip to him, ASii vl'ii. 28, 29.; 
when the difcipks were praying, chap. iv. 31,; 
when Cornelius and his friends" were hearing, 
chap. x. 44. ; then the Holy Ghoft fell upon them 
and filled them all. Strive to give up thyfelf to 
Chrift ; ftrive to pray, ftrive' to meditate, ftrive 
an hundred and an hundred times, ftrive to do it 
as well as thou canft ; and while thou art endea- 
vouring in the way of thy duty, the Spirit of the 
Lord will come upon thee, and help thee to do, 
what of thyfelf thou art utterly unable to perform, 
Pro-u, i, 23. 

Dirett. V. " Forthwith renounce all thy fins.'* 
If thou yield thyfelf to the practice of all thy fin, 
thou art undone, Rem, vi. 19* In vain deft thou 
hope for life of Chnfl, except thou depart from 
iniquity, z Tim. ii. 19. Forfake thy fins, or elfe 
thou canft not find mercy, Prov* xxviii. 13. 
Thou canft net be married to Chrift, except thou 
be -divorced from fin ; give up that traitor, or you 
can have no peace in heaven ; caft the head of 
Sh.ba ever the wall ; keep not Delilah in the lap: 
Thou mud part with thy fins, or with thy foul ; 
if thou fpare even one fin, God will not fpare 
thee. Never make excufes, thy fins mull: die s or 
thou ;i;uft die for them, Pfalm Jxviii. 2t. If thou 
allow of one fin, though but a little, a fecret one, 
though tbou mayeft plead necefiity, and have an 
hundred ihifts and excufes for it, the life of thy 
foul mud go for the life of that Cm, Ez,e&. xviii. 
21. ; and will it not be dearly bought I 

O finner! hear and confider : If thou wilt part 
with thy fins, God will give thee his Chrift. Is 
not this a fair exchange ? I teftify unto thee this 
day, that , if thou perifh, it is not becauie there 



Directions for Converjlon* 



wis not a Saviour provided, nor life tendered* 
b-it becaufe thou preferredft (with the Jews) the 
sorcerer before the Saviour, fin before Chrift, 
ana " levedit darknefs rather than light," John 
iiic 9. Search thy heart, therefore, with candles, 
as the jews did their houfes for leaven before the 
pafTover ; labour to find out thy fins ; enter into 
thy clofet, and conliJei, What evil have I lived^ 
in ? What duty have I neglected towards God ? 
What fin have I lived in againft my brother ?— ^ 
"And new ftrike the darts through the heart or thy 
fin, as joab did through Alfaiom's, z Sam xviii. 
14. Never ftsnd looking upon thy fin, nor rol- 
Yin? the fweet morfel under thy tongue, Job. xx. 
12.; but fplt it cut as poifbn, with fear and de- 
tfeftation. Alas! what w.ii thy fins do for thee, 
that thou (houldeft ftick at parting with them ?— ± 
They mil flatter thee, but they will undo thee, 
and cut thy throat while they fmile upon thee, 
and poifon thee while they pleafe thee, and 
arm the juitice and wrath of the infinite God 
againit thee. They will open hell for thee, and 
pile up fuel to burn thee : Behold the gibbet 
that they have prepared for thee : O ferve them 
like Haman, and execute them as they would 
have done thee ; away with them, crucify them, 
and let Chrift only be Lord over thee. 

Direct. VI. ■* Make a folemn choice of God for 
f< thy portion and bleftednefs," Deut. xxvi. 17. 
With all poflible devotion and veneration avouch 
the Lord for thy God ; fet the world with all its 
glory, and paint, and gallantry, with all its p]eaiures 
and promotions, on the one hand ; and fet God, 
with all his excellencies aud perfections, on the 
other, and fee that thou doll deliberately make* th/ 



Dire8ion$ far Con<ver/iQft, 1 1 9 

\ choice, Jojh. xxiv. 15. Take up thy reft in God, 
I John vi. 68.; fit thee down under his fhadow, 
H. 3. ; let his promifes and perfections turn 
j the fcale againft all the world : Settle it upon thy 
heart that the Lord is an all-fufficknt portion ; 
i that thou canft not be roiferable whilft thou halt 
! God to live upon : Take him for thy IhieJd and 
j exceeding great reward. God alone is more than 
all the world, content thyfelf with him : Let others 
carry the preferments and glory of the world, place 
j thou thy happinefs in his favour, and in the lighc 
I cf his countenance, P/al. iv. 6, 7. 

Poor /inner ! thou art fallen off from God, and 
i hall provoked his power and wrath againft thee ; 
yet know, that of his abundant grace he doth offer 
to be thy God inChrift, 2 Cor. vi. .17, 18. What 
faift thou, man? Wilt thou have the Lord for thy 
God? W r hy, take this coufifel, and thou malt have 
him ; come to him by his Chrift, John xvi. 6. ; 
renounce the idols of thy own pleafures, gain, and 
reputation, 1 Tbffi i. 9.; let thefe be pulled out of 
their throne, and fet God's intereft uppermoil in 
thy heart. Take him as God, to be chief in thy 
afreclipns, eftimations, intentions, for he will not 
endure to have any fet above him, Rom. i. 24. 
PfaL Ixxiii. 25. 

Direfi. VII. f* Accept of the Lord jefus In all 
*' his offices, with all his inconveniences, as thine.'* 
Upon thefe terms Chrift may be had. Sinner, thou 
hall: undone thyfelf, and art plunged into a ftate of 
; mod deplorable mifery, out of which tfiou art un- 
able to get ; but Jefus Chrift is able and ready to 
help thee, and freely tenders himfelf to thee, Heb. 
vii. 25. John. iii. 30, Be thy fins ever fo many, 



120 



Dire Sli ons for Converfion. 



ever fo great, or ever of fo long continuance, yet thou 
ihak be moti certainly pardoned and faved, if thou 
doft not wretchedly neglect the offer that, in the 
name of God, is here made to thee. The Lord 
Jefus calleth to thee to look to him, and be faved, 
Ifa. xlv. 22. ; to M come unto him, and he will 
V in no wife caft thee out," John vi. 37,; yea, 
he is a fuitor to thee, and befeeches thee to be 
reconciled, 2 Cor, v. 20. ; he crieth in the ftreets, 
he knccketh at the door, he vvooeth thee to ac- 
cept of him, and live with him, Prou, i. 20. Rev. 
iii. 20. If thou dieft, it is becaufe thou wouldft 
not come to him for life, John v. 40. 

Now accept of an offered Chrift, and thou art 
made for ever ; now give up thy confent to him, 
and the match is made ; all the world cannot hin- 
der it. Do not ftand off becaufe of thy un- 
worthinefs, man ; I tell thee, nothing in the 
world can undo thee but thy unwillingnefs.— 
Speak, man, art thou defirous of the match ? Wilt 
thou have Chrift in all his relations to be thine ; 
thy King, thy Prieft, thy Prophet? Wilt thou 
have him with all his inconveniences? Take not 
Chrift hand over head, but fit down firft and count 
the coft. Wilt thou lay all at his feet? Wilt 
thou be content to run all hazards with him ? 
Wilt thou take thy lot with him, fall where it 
will ? Wilt thou " deny thyfelr, and take up thy 
M crofs, and follow him r" Art thou deliberately, 
underftandingly, freely, fixedly determined to 
cleave to him in all times and conditions ? If fo, 
my foul for thine thou fhalt never perilh, but art 
paffed from death unto life, John iii. 16. Here 
lies the main point ©f thy falvation, that thou be 
found in thy covenant clofure with jefus Chrift 5 



DireSlions for Converfion. izi 

and therefore, if thou love thyfelf, fee that thou be 
faithful to God, and thy foul here. 

Direft. VIII. " Refign up all thy powers and fa- 

I "culties, and thy whole intereft to be his." "They 
M gave their own felves unto the Lord," z Cor. viii. 
5. " Pr#fent your bodies a living facrifice," Rom, 
xii. 1. The Lord feeks not yours, bat you: Refign 
therefore thy body with all its members to him, 
and thy foul with all its powers, that he may be 
-glorified in thy body, and in thy fpirit, which are 

! his, 1 Cor. vi. 20. 

: Again, thou muft give up thy whole intereft to 
him. If there be any thing that thou keepeft 
back from Chrift, it will be thy undoing, Luke 
xiv. 33. Unlefs thou wilt fcrfake all (in prepa 
ration and refolution of thy heart) thou canft not 
be his difciple : Thou muft hate father and mo- 
ther, yea, and thy own life alfo in comparifon of 
him, and as far as it ftands in competition with, 
him, Mat. x. 37. Luke xiv. 26, &c. In a word, 
thou muft give bim thyfelf \ and all that thou haft, 
without refervation, or elfe thou canft have no 
part in him. 

Dirett. IX. " Make choice of the laws of 
*' Chrift as the rule of thy words, thoughts, and 
*' actions," Pfal. cxix. 30. This is the true con- 
vert's choice : But here remember thefe three 
rules: 1. " You muft choofe them all;" there is 
do getting to heaven by a partial obedience ; read 
Pfalm cxix. 6, 128, 160. Ezek. xviii. zf. None 
muft think it enough to take up with the cheap and 
eafy part of religion, and let alone the duties that 
are coftly and ielf-denying, that grate upon the 
imereft of the flelh j you muft take all or none. 



12 2 Direftions for Ccnverjtott* 



A JiRcere convert, though he makes mo& ctm* 
Science of the greateft fins, and weightieft duties* 
yet he makes true confcience of Jittle fins, and of 
all duties, PJmJmcxm. 6, 113. Mat. xxiii. 23.-^ 
3. " For aH times," for prcfperity and adverfity, 
whether it rain or fhine. A true convert is re- 
iolved in hi? way, he will ftand to his choice ; he 
will not fet his hack to the wind, and be of the re- 
ligion of the times, " I have ituck to thy tefti- 
" monies ; I have inclined my heart to thy fta- 
V tutes always, even unto the end. Thy teftimo- 
tl nies have I taken as an heritage for ever. I will 
'* have refpect. to thy itatutes continually," P/j/fn 
cxix. 31, 44, 93, hi, 117. This mud not be 
done hand over head, but deliberately and under- 
ftandragly. The difobedient fon faid, 44 I go, 
«* Sir," but he went not, Mat. xxi. 30. Kow 
fairly did r'ney prOrfrife. u All that the Lord our 
€< God fhall fueak unto thee, we will do it!'* And 
it is likely they fpafce as they meant ; but when it 
came to the trial, i: was found that there was not 
fuch a heart in them as to do what they had pro- 
railed, Deut. v. zj y 29. 

Thirdly, " Obferve the fpecial duties that thy 
'* heart is moil: againft, and the fpecial fms that it 
** is molt inclined to ; and fee whether it be truly 
44 re{o\ved to perform the one, and forego the 
" other." What fay eft thou to thy bofom fin, thy 
gainful fin ? What fayeft thou to coftly, hazar- 
dous, and fieih-difpleafing duties ? If thou halteft 
here, and deft not refolve, by the grace of God, to 
crofs the fiefh, and go on, thou art unfound, P/aL 
gviii. 23. and cxix. 6. 

Dirul. X. 41 Take heed of delaying thy con* 



THreBtons for Conner fan*; 12$ 

** ver-fion, and fet about a fpeecty and prefect 
*' turning 44 I made haite and delayed not," 
Pjtiim cxix. 50, Remember and tremble at the 
fad inftance of the foolifh virgins, that came not 
Sill the door of mercy was (hut, Mai* xxv. n. ; 
and of a convinced Felix, who put off Paul to 
another feafon, which we do not find ever came, 
A&i xxiv. 2c. O come in while it is called to-day* 
left thou fhouldeft be hardened thro 3 the deceitful- 
aefs of {in, left the day of grace ihould be over, 
and the 44 things that belong to thy peace 
* 4 fhould be hid rrbm thine eyes*" Now mercy is 
wooing thee, now Chrift is waiting to be gracious 
to thee, and the fpirit of God is driving with 
thee ; Now minifters are calling : Now confcience 
is ftirring : Now the market is open, and thou 
mayeft buy oil : Now Chrift is offered for thy ac- 
ceptance, O ftrike in with the offers of grace: O ! 
now or never. If thou make light of this offer, 
God may fwear in his wrath thou Ihalt not tafte of 
his fupper, Luke xiv. 24. 

Dire&.Xl. "Attend confcientioufly upon the 
44 word as the means appointed for thy corver- 
" fion," James i. 19. 1 Cor. iv< 15. Attend, I 
fay, not cuftomarily, but confcientioufly $ with 
this deure, defign, hope, and expectation, that 
thou mayeft be converted by it. To every fermon 
thou fhouldeft come with this thought ; " O, I 
hope God will now come in ; 1 nope this day 
44 may be the time, this may be the man by whom 
" God will bring me home." When thou art 
coming to the ordinances, lift up thy heart thus 
to God ; 44 Lord, let this be the labbath, let this 
*' be the feafoa wherein I may receive renewing 
L 2 



S2 4 



DireBions for Conversion* 



<c grace, O let it be faid, that to-day fuch a one 

was born unto thee V s 

DireH, XII. " Strike in with the Spirit when 
" he begins to work upon thy heart : n When he 
works convictions, O do not ftifie them, but join 
in with him, and beg the Lord to carry on con- 
viction to converfion. tf Quench not the Spirit :** 
do not outftrive him, do not reiifi him. Beware 
of rtifling convictions with evil company or worldly 
bulinefs. When thou findeft any troubles for fin, 
and fears about thy eternal ftate* beg of God that 
they may never leave thee till they have wrought 
oft thy heart thoroughly from fin, and brought it 
over to Jefus Chrift: Say to him, " Strike home, 
" Lord, leave not the work in the midlt. If thou 
" feed that I am not wounded enough, that I am 
" not troubled enough, wound me yet deeper. 
c< O.Lord, go to the bottom of my corruption, 
u and let out the life-blood of my fins/' Thus 
yield up thyfelf to the workings of the Spirit, and 
ijpresd thy fails to his gufts." 

Direfi. XIIL " Set upon the conftant and dili- 
gent ufe of ferious and fervent prayer." He that 
neglects prayer is a profane and unfanctified lin- 
ger, Job xv. 4. ; he that is not conftant in prayer 
is but an hypocrite, Job xxvii. 10. This is one 
of the firft things converfion appears in, that it 
fets men on praying, A3s\x.- 11. ; therefore fet 
to this duty : Let never a day pafs over thee, 
wherein thcu haft not, morning and evening, fet 
apart feme time for fet and folemn prayer in fe- 
cret. Call thy family alfo together daily and 
duly to worfhip God with thee. Wo be unto 
thee, if thine be found among the families that 



Directions for Conuerfan. 



call not on God's name, Jer. x. 25. But cold 
and lifelefs devotions will not reach half-way to 
heaven. Be fervent and importunate; impor- 
tunity will carry it ; but, without violence, the 
kingdom of heaven will not be taken, Mat* xi. 
12. Thou rauft ftrive to enter, Luke xiii. 24. ; 
and wreftle with tears and fupplications, as Ja- 
cob, if thou meaneft to carry the bleSIng, Gen. 
xxxii. 24. ; compared with Hofea xii. 4. Thou 
art undone for ever without grace, and therefore 
thou mud fet to it, and refolve to take no denial : 
That man, who is fixed in his refolution, fays, 
f4 Well, I muft have grace, or I will never give 
♦'over till I have grace; I will never, leave 
" feeking, waiting, and (hiving with God and 
" my own heart, till he do renew me by the power 
" of his grace." This man is in the likelieft 
way to win grace. 

Dire&. XIV. " Forfake thy evil company," 
Pro<v. ix. 6. " and forbear the occafion of fin,"" 
Prov* xxiii. 31. Thou wilt never be turned from 
fin, till thou wilt decline and forego the tempta- 
tions of lin. 

I never expedi thy converfion from fin, unlefs 
thoa art brought to fome felf-denial, as to flee 
the occafions. If thou wilt be nibbling at the 
bait, and playing on the brink, and tampering 
and meddling with the fnare, thy foul will fureiy 
be taken. Where God doth expofe men in his 
piovidence unavoidably to temptation, and the 
cccafjons are fuch as we cannot remove,, we may ex- 
peel fpecial afliftance in the ufe of his means ; but 
when we tempt God by running into danger, he 
will not engage to fupport us when we axe tempted. 



126 



Direftion: fcr Converjtcn* 



And of all temptations, one of the moft fata! and 
pernicious is evil company : O, what hopeful be- 
ginnings have thefe cften itifted ! O, the fouls, the 
eftates, the families, the towns that thefe have 
ruined ! How many poor flnners have been en* 
lightened and convinced, and been jail ready to 
give the devil t,he flip, and have even efcaped the 
fnare, and yet wicked company have pulled them 
back at lair, and made them feven-fold more the 
children of hell ! In a word, I have no hopes of 
thee, except thou wilt fhake off thy evil com- 
pany. Chriil fpeaketh to thee as to them in ano- 
ther cafe, " If thou feek me, then let thefe go 
" their way," Jofofxv\\\. 8. Thy life lies upori 
it; for fake thefe, or elfe thou canft not live, Prov. 
ix. 6. Wilt thou be worfe than the bead, to rua 
on when thou feeft the Lord with a drawn fword 
in the way ? Num. xxii. 33. Let this fentence be 
written in capitals upon thy conference, " A 
" COMPANfON OF FOOLS SHALL BE DE- 
" STROYED," Prov. xiii. 20. The Lord hath 
fpoken it, and who (hall reverfe it ? And wilt 
thou run upon deftruction when God nimfelf doth, 
forewarn thee ? If God doth ever change thy 
heart, itwiil appear in the change of thy company. 
O fear and flee the guiph by which fo many thou- 
fand fouls have been fwaliowed up in perdition. 
It will be hard lor thee indeed to make thy ef- 
cape ; thy companions will be mocking thee out 
of thy religion, and will ftudy to fill thee with 
prejudices againft ftriclnefs, as ridiculous and 
comfortlefs. They will be flattering thee and al- 
luring thee. But remember the warning of the 
Pply Ghoffi •* My fen, if finners entice thee, 



1 



Motives to Corrjerfon* 



12^ 



« confent thou not: If they fay, Come with us, 
41 caft in thy lot among us : Walk thou not in the 
" way with them, refrain thy foot from their path* 
* c avoid it, pafs by it, turn from it, and pafs awa„y i 
** For the way of the wicked is darknefs, they 
'* know not at what they (tumble: They lay wait 
<c for their own blood, they lurk privily for their 
€t own lives," Pro<u. i. 10, 18. and iv. 14.. 

Thus have I told thee what thou muil do to be 
faved. Wilt thou not obey the voice of the 
Lord ? Wilt thou not arife and fet to thy work ? 
O man, what anfwer wilt thou make, what ex* 
cufe wilt thou have, if thou fhouldefl perifh at 
jail through very wilfulnefs, when thou haft 
known the way of life ? I do not fear thy mifcar- 
tying, if thine own idlenefs do not at laft undo 
thee, in neglecting the ufe of the means that are 
fo plainly here prescribed. Roufe up, O flug- 
gard 1 and ply thy work ; be doing, and the Lord 
will be thine. 



CHAP. VlL 



Containing Motives to Conversion. 

THOUGH what is already faid of the Neeefftty 
of Con<ver/icn, and of the Miferies of the Un* 
converted, might be fufficient to induce any con- 
sidering mind to refolve upon a prefent turning or 
converfion unto God, yet knowing what a piece 
of defperate obftinacy and untraclablenefs the 
heart of man naturally is> I have thought it ne- 



Motives to Conwrjion. 



ceflary to add to the means of converfion, and di- 
rections for a covenant clofure with God and 
Chrift, fome motives to perfuade you hereunto. 

M Lord, fail me not now, at my lafl attempt : 
" If any foul hath read hitherto, and is yet un« 
«« touched, now, Lord, fatten on him, and do thy 
*« work ; now take him by the heart, overcome 
" him, perfuade him till he fay, Thou haft pre* 
*< vailed, for thou vuert Jlronger than /. Lord, 
€t didft thou not make me a fifter of men, and I 

have toiled all this while and caught nothing : 
** Alas ! that I fhould have fpent my ftrength for 
€t nought. And now I am cafting my laft, Lord 
** jefus, Hand thou upon the more, and direct how 
«' and where I fhall fpread my net ; and let me fo 
*« inclofe with arguments the fouls I feek for, that 
«' they may not be able to get out. Now, Lord, 
«* for a multitude of fouls ! Now for a full draught! 
•* O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and 
«' ftrengthen me this once, O God." 

O, I am even loft aad fwaJ lowed up In the 
abundance of thofe arguments that I might fuggeft! 
If there be any point of wifdom in all the world, 
it is to repent and come in : If there be any thing 
righteous, any thing reafonable, this ja> it ; If 
there be any thing in the world that may be cal- 
led madnefs and folly, and any thing that may be 
counted fottifh, abfurd, brutifn, unreasonable, 
it is this, to go on in thine unconverted ftate. Les 
me beg of thee as thou wouldeft not wilfully de~ 
Itroy thyfelf, to fit down and weigh, beiides 
what has been faid, thefe following motives, and 
let confcience fpeak, if it be not reafonable then 
ihouidefl; repent and tnra* 



Motives to Converjson. 129 

I. u The God that made thee does moll: gra* 
'* cioufly ir,vite thee." 

firft y u His mo ft fweet and merciful nature doth 
* x invite thee." O the kindnefs of God, his yearn- 
ing bowels, his tender mercies ! They are infi- 
nitely above our thoughts, higher than heaven, 
what can we do ? Deeper than hell, what can we 
know ? Job ix. 7, 8, 9. " He is full of com- 
" paflion, and gracious, long filtering, and plen- 

teous in mercy," Pfalm jxxxvi. 15. This is ar 
great argument to perfuade fi nners to come in 5 
•* Turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gra- 
*' cious and merciful, flow to anger, of great 

kindnefs, and repenteth him of the evil." If 
God would not repent of the evil, it were fome 
difcouragement to us, why we fhould not repent. 
If there were no hopes of mercy, it were no won- 
der why rebels mould ftand cut ; but never had 
fiibjecls fuch a gracious prince, fuch pity, pati- 
ence, clemency, piety to deal with as you have; 
" Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth 
" iniquity ?" Mic\ vii. 18. O finners ! fee what 
a God you have to deal with; if you will but turn, 
" he will turn again and have companion on you : 
€t He will fubdue your iniquities, and caft all your 
" fins into the depths of the fea," <ver. 19. " Re- 
" turn unto me, faith the' Lord of Holts, and I 
" will return unto you," Mai. iii. 7. Zecb. i. 3. 
Sinners, do not fail becaufe they have too high 
thoughts of God's mercies, but becaufe, 1. They 
overlook his juilice. 2. They promife themfelves 
mercy out of God's way ; though his mercy is be- 
yond all imagination, 1/a. lv. 9. ; great mercies, 
1 Cbron. xxi. 13.; manifold mercies, Neb. ix. 19. 



Motives to Converjion. 



tender mercies, P/alm xxvi. 6.; fu re mercies, I/a* 
Jv. 3. ; everlafting mercies, P/alm ciii.. 17. I/a. 
liv. 3.; and all are thy own, if thou wilt but turn. 
Art thou wining to come in? Why the Lord hath, 
laid afide his terror, ere&ed .a throne, of grace, 
holds forth the golden fceptre, touch and live. 
Would a merciful man flay his* enemy when pro- 
late at his feet, acknowledging his wrong, beg- 
ging pardon, and offering to enter with him into 
a covenant of peace ? Much lefs will the merciful 
God. Study his name, Exod. xxxiv. 7.; read their 
experience, Neb. ix. 17. 

Secondly, *' His foul-encouraging calls and pro- 
«* mifes to invite thee." Ah! what an earneft Ali- 
tor is mercy to thee ; How lovingly, how inllantly 
it calleth thee ! how paffionately it wooeth thee ! 
H Return, thou back-Hiding Ifrael, faith the 
*« Lord, and I will not caufe mine anger to fall 
* i upon you ; for I am merciful, faith the Lord, 
u and will not keep anger for ever ; only ac- 
«« knowledge thine iniquity. Turn, O backfli- 
"ding children, faith the Lord, for I am mar- 
«« ried unto you ; return, and I will heal your 
«« backfiidings. Thou haft played the harlot with 
" many lovers, yet return unto me, faith the 
" Lord," Jer. iii. 11 — 14, 22." As I live, faith 
*« the Lord God, I have no pleafure in the death 
«* of the wicked, but that he turn from his way 
« s and live. Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil 
«* ways, for why will ye die, O hcufe or" Ifraei?" 
Ezek. xxxiii. 11. u If the wicked will turn from 
4< all his ilns that he hath committed, and keep all 
** my tfatutes, and do that which is lawful and 

right, he ihaii furely live, he lhall not die.~ 



Motives to Con-vsrfan* 



" All his tranfgrefuons that he hath committed 
u {hall not be mentioned to him : In his righteouf- 
«« nefs that he hath done fhall he live. Repent, 
*' and turn you from all your tranfgreilons, fo ini- 
* ( quity fhall not be your ruin. Call away all your 
" tranfgrefiions, and make you a clean heart and 
** a new fpirit, for why will ye die, O houfe of If- 
rael ? For I have no pleafure in the death of 
" him that dieth, faith the Lord God ; wherefore 
*' turn yourfelves, and live ye," Ezek. xviii. z\ % 
23, 30—32. 

O melting gracious words ! the voice of a God, 
and not of a man ! This is not the manner of 
men, for the offended fovereign to fue to the of- 
fending traitorous varlet. O i how doth mercy 
follow thee, and plead with thee ! Is not thy 
heart broken yet? O that to-day thou wouldeft 
hear his voice ! 

2. '* The doors of heaven are thrown open to 
" thee, the everlafting gates are fet wide lor thee, 
" and abundant entrance into the kingdom of 
i4 heaven adminiflered to thee." Chrift now be- 
fpeaks thee, as Jezebel did Ahab, " Arife and 
* 4 take poffefiion." 1 Kings xxu View the glory 
of the other world, as fet forth in the map of the 
gofpel, get thee up into Pifgah of the promifes, 
and lift up thine eyes northward, and fouthward, 
and eaftward, and weflward, and fee the good 
land that is beyond Jordan, and that goodly moun- 
tain : Behold the Paradife of God, watered with 
the ftreams of glory. A rife, and walk through 
the land in the length of it, and in the breadth of 
it; for the land which thou -feeft, the Lord will 
give it thee for ever, if thou wilt but return, 



132 Motives to Converfion. 

Gen. xiiii 14, 15, 17. Let me fay to thee as 
Paul to Agrippa, " BelieveH thou the prophets r" 
If thou beiieveit. indeed, do but view what ** glo- 
*' rious things are fpoken of the city of God," 
P/alm Ixxxvii. 3. ; and know that all this is here 
tendered in ths name of God to thee : As verily 
as God is true, it lhall be for ever thine, if thou 
wilt but thoroughly turn and be converted. 

Behold the city of pure tranfparent gold, whofe 
foundations are garnilhed with all manner of pre- 
cious ftones, whofe gates are pearls, whofe lignt is 
glory, whofe temple i; God. Believed thou this ? 
If thou doft, art thou not worfe than dihra&ed, 
that wilt not take poffeffion when the. gates are 
flung open to thee, and thou art bid to enter ? O 
ye fons of folly, will you embrace the dunghill, 
and refufe the kingdom? Behold. the Lord takes 
you up into the mountain, {hows you the kingdom 
of heaven, and ail the glory thereof, and tells you, 
•* All this will I give you, if you will fall down 
" and worfhip me;" if you will fubmit to mercy, 
accept my Son, and ferve me in righteoufnefs and 
holinefs. " O fools, and flow of heart to be- 
«' lieve !" Will you court the harlot? Will you 
feek and ferve the world, and neglect eternal 
glory ? What ! Not enter into Paradife, when tftfe 
flaming fword, which was once fet to keep yoix 
out, is now ufed to drive you in? But you will fay, 
I am uncharitable to think you infidels and unbe- 
lievers. Why, what mall 1 think you ? Either 
you are defperate unbelievers, that do not credit 
it, or ftark diftracled, that you know and believe 
the excellency and eternity of this glory, and yet 
4$ fo fearfully neglett it. Surely you have either 



Motives to Converjton, 



133 



faith, or no reafon, and I had almoft faid, con- 
fcience (hall tell you fo before I leave you. 

Do but attend to what is offered to yon : O blelled 
1 kingdom! a <« kingdom of glory," 1 Theffl ii. 12.^ 
a •* kingdom of righteouf#efs," 2 Pet. iii. 13.; a 
"kingdom of peace," Rom. xiv. 17.; and an 
everlafting kingdom," 2 /V/. i. 11;. here thoa 
fhak dwell, here thou fhalt reign for ever, and the 
Lord fhall feat thee on a thone of glory, Mat. 
, xix. 28 and with his own hand fhall fet the royal 
diadem upon thy head, and give thee a crown, nor. 
of thorns, for there fhall be no finning or fuffer- 
ing there, Rev. xxt. 27. and xxii. 3, 5 not of 
' gold, (for that mail be viler than the dirt in that 
day) but a " crown of life," James i. 12;. a 
" crown of righteoufnefs," 2 Tim. iv. 8 ;. a " crdwn. 

of glory," 1 Pet. v. 4;. yea fit thou malt put on 
" glory as a robe," 1 Ccr. xv. 43. ; and malt 
fhine like the fun in the firmament, in the glory 
i of thy Father," Mat, xiii. 43.— Look now 
upon thy dirty rlem, thy clay, thy worm's meat: 
This very flefh, this lump, this carcafe, (hall be 
brighter than the iters, Dan. xii. 3. In Ihort, thou 
fhalt be made like unto the " angels of God," 
Luke xx. 36 and ' - behold his face in righteouf- 
*' nefs," Pfalm xvii. 15. Look in now, and tell 
me, Doli thou yet believe? If not, confcience mufl 
pronounce thee an infidel; for it is the very Word 
of God that I fpeak. 

But if thou fay thou believeft, let me next know 
thy refolutions. Wilt thou embrace this for thy 
happinefs? Wilt thou forego thy finful gains, thy 
forbidden pleafqres? Wilt thou trample on the 
world's efteem, and fpit in the harlot's face, and 

M 



134 



Motives to ConverJIcn* 



flop thy ears at her flatteries, and wretl thee out 
cf her embraces ? Wilt thou be conten: to take up 
with reproach and poverty, if it lie in thy way to 
.heaven, and follow the Lord with humble felf- 
denial ii a mortified and ftefh-difpieafing life ? If 
ib, all is thine, and that for ever. 

And art thou not fairly offered? Is it not pity 
but he Hiould be damned that will needs go on and 
perifh, when all this may be had for the taking? 
Wilt thou take God at his word ? Wilt thou let go 
thy holdfaft of the world, and rid thy hands of 
thy fins, and lay hold on eternal life? If not, Jet 
conference tell thee whether thou art not diftra&ed 
or bewitched, that thou fhouldft neglect fo happy 
a choice, by which thou mighte'l be made bleiied 
for ever. 

3. " God. will fettle unfpeakable privileges at 
" prefent upon thee,'* ! Cor. iii. 22. Heb* xii. 
22, 24. " Though the full of your bleffednefs 
M fhall be deferred till hereafter, yet God will give 
" you no little things in hand." 

He will redeem you from your thraldron, John 
viii. 36. ; he will pluck you from the paw of the 
lion, Col. i. 13.; the ferpent mail bruife you heel, 
but you fhall bruife his bead, Gen, iii. 15.; he 
fhall deliver you from the prefent evil world, Gal* 
i. 4.; profperity fhall not deftroy you, adverfity 
fnall not feparate between him and you, Rom. viii. 
.25, 38.; he will redeem you from the power of 
the grave, Pfalm xlix. 15. and make the king of 
terrors a meffenger of peace to you. He will take 
out the curfe from the crofs, Pfalm cxix. 71. ; and 
make affliction the fining pot, the fan, the phyfic, 
to blow eff the chaff, purify the metal, and purge 
the mind, Dan* xii. 10. I/a, xxvii. 9. He will 



! ' - ■ 

[j Motives to Convtrjion* 135 

j fave you from the arreft of the law, and turn the 
; curfe into a bieffing to you, Rom. vi. 14* GaL 
iii. 24. He hath the keys of hell and death, and 
j fhutteth, that no man cpeneih, Rev. iii, 7. and i. 
• 18. and he will ihut its mouth, as once he did the 
I lions', Dan. vi. 22.; that you fhail not be hurt of 
the fecend death, Rev. ii. 11. 

But he will not only fave you from rnifery, but 
j inftalyou into unfpeakable perogatives! He will 
I beilow himfelf upon you, he will be a friend unto 
you, and a father to you, 2 Cor. vi. 18.; he will 
1 be a fun and a fhieid to you, Pjalm. lxxxiv. 11.; in 
1 a word, he will be a God to you, Gen. xvii. 7. 
find what can be faid more? What you may ex- 
peel that a God fhould do for you, and be to you; 
that he will be, that he will do. She that marries 
a prince, expects that he mould do for her like a 
prince, that fhe may live in a fuitable flate, and 
' have an anfwerable dowry: He that bath a king 
for his father, or friend, expects that he fhould do 
for liim like a king. Alas! the kings and mo- 
narchs of the earth, fo much above you, are but 
like the painted butterflies arnongfl the rell of their 
kind, or the fair-coloured palmer-worm amongft 
the reft of the worms, if compared with God. As 
he doth infinitely exceed the glory and power of 
his glittering duft, fo he will, beyond all propor- 
tion, exceed in doing, for his favourites whatever 
princes can do for theirs. He will " give you 
*f grace and glory, and withhold no good thing 
^ from you," Pfalm lxxxiv. 1 1. He will take you 
for his fons and daughters, and make you heirs of 
his promifes, Heb. vi. 17.; and eftablilh his ever- 
lafting covenant with you, Jei\ xxxii. 40. He 
M 2 



Moti<uis to Converjion* 



will juftify you from all that law, conference, and 
Satan can charge upon you, Rom. viii. 33, 34.. — 
He will give you free accefs into his prefence, and 
accept your perfon, and receive your prayers, 
Eph. lit. 12. and i. 6. 1 John v. 14. He will abide 
in you, and make you the man of his fecrets, and 
hold a conftant and friendly communion with you, 
John xiii. 23. and xv. 15. 1 John i. 3. His ear 
fhall be open, his door open, his ftore open at all 
times to you. His bleffings fhall reft upon you, 
and he will make your enemies to ferve you, and 
work out " all things for good unto you," Pjaim 
cxv. 13. Rom. viii. 28. 

4. c< The terms of mercy are brought as low as 
" poflible to you." God has [tooped as low to tin- 
ners as with honour he can : He will not be thought 
the author of fin, nor (lain the glory of his holi- 
nefs: And whither could he come lower than he 
hath, unlefs he fhould do this? — He hath abated 
the impoflible terms of the ririt covenant, Jer. iii. 
23. Mark v. 36. Afis xvi. 31. and iii. 19. Pro<v. 
xxviii. 13. He doth not impofe any thing unrea- 
fonable or impoffible as a condition of life upon 
you: Two things were neceffary to be done, ac- 
cording to the tenor of the flrft covenant: 1. 
** That you fhould fully fatisfy the demands of 
" juftice for paft offences. 2. That you fhould 
" perform perfcnally, perfectly, and perpetually, 
€i the whole law for the time to come." Both 
thefe are to us impofBble, Rom. viii. 3. ; but be- 
hold God's gracious abatement in both : He doth 
Kot ftand upon fatisfadion; he is content to take 
of the Surety, (and he of his own providing too) 
what he might have exacted from you, 2 Cor. v. 
19. He declares himfelf to have received a ran* 



Motives to Converfion* 



fom, Job xxxiii. 24. 1 Tim. ii. 6. and that he 
experts nothing but that you fhould accept his Son, 
and " he mall be righteoufnefs and redemption to 
«' you," John 1. 12. 1 Cor. i. 30. And for the 
future obedience, here he is content to yield to 
your weaknefs, and omit the rigour. He doth 
not fland upon perfection as a condition of life, 
though he ftill infills upon it as his due, but is con- 
tent to accept of fincerity, Gen. xvii. v. Prov. 
x\* 20. Though you cannot pay the full debt, he 
will accept you according to that which you have, 
and take wiJlingnefs fordoing, and the purpofefor 
the performance, 2 Cor. viii 12. 2 Cbron. vi. 8. 
Heb. xi. 17. And if you come in his Chrift, and 
fet your hearts to pleafe him, and make it the. 
chief of you care, he will approve and reward you, 
though the veffel be marred in your hands. 

O, confider your Maker's condefcenfion ! Jet 
me fay to, you as Naaman's fervant to him, " My 
•* father, if the prophet had bid thee do forne 

great thing, would you not have done it ?— 
V How much rather when he faith to thee, V/afh 
#< and be clean?" 2 Kings v. 13. If God had 
demanded fome terrible, iome fevere and rigorous 
thing of ycu, to efcape eternal damnation, would 
you net have done it? Suppofe it had been to 
ipend all your days in forrow in fome howling wil- 
dernefs, Or pine yourfelves with famine, or to 
* s offer the fruit of your bodies for the fin of your 
u fouls," would you not have thankfully accepted 
eternal redemption, though thefe had been the. 
conditions? If your offended Creator fhould have 
held you but one year upon the rack, and then 
bid you come andlorfake your fins, accept Chrift, 
Mj 



Motives to Conner/ton* 



and ferve him a few years in felf-denial, or He m 
this cafe for ever and ever, do you think you 
Uiould have ftuck at the offer, and difputed the 
terms, and have been unrefolved whether you were 
to accept of the motion? O finner, return and live; 
why fhouldeft thou die when life is to be had for the 
taking, when mercy feems beholden to thee (a8 it 
were) to be faved,;- — Couldeft thou fay, indeed, 
<fi Lord, I knew that thou waft an hard man, Mat. 
xxv. 24. ; thou hadft fome little excufe ; but whea 
the God of heaven has (looped fo low, and conde- 
fcended fo far, if now thou fhouldeft ftand off, who 
fhall plead for thee ? 

Qbjeftion. Notwithftanding all thefe abatements, 
I am no more able to perform thefe conditions (in 
themfelves fo eafy) of Faith* Repentance, and Jincere 
Obedience % than to fatisfy and fulfil the law. 

Anfwer, Thefe you may perform by God's 
grace enabling, whereas the other is naturally 
impoflible in this ftate, even to believers themfelves. 
But let the next confideration ferve for a fuller 
anfwer. 

5. " Wherein you are impotent, God doth offer 
" grace to enable you." " I have ftretched out my 
** hand, and no man regarded, " Pro<u. i. 24. — — - 
What though you are plunged into the ditch of 
that mifery from which you can never get out, 
Chrift ofrereth to help you out ; he reacheth out 
his hand to you, and if you perilh, it is for refu- 
Fing his help. " Behold, I ftand at the door and 
*' knock, if any man open to me, I will come 
f< in," Rev. Hi. 20. What though you are poor, 
and wretched, and blind, and naked? Chrift of* 
fereth a cure for your blindnefs, a covering for 
your nakednefs, a remedy /or your poverty; h* 



Motives to Convtrfion. 



?39 



tenders you his nghteoufnefs, his grace. *? I 
1 " counfel thee to buy of me gold, that thou mayeft 
*' be rich ; and white raiment, that thou mayeft 
** be clothed; and anoint thine eyes with eye- 
falve, that thou mayeft fee," Rev. iii. 17, 18. 
Do you fay the condition is impofiible, for I have 
not wherewith to buy ? You muft know that this 
buying i9 "Without money and without price,'* 
I/a. lv. I,; this buying is by begging and feeking 
with diligence and conllancy in the ufe of God's 
! means, Prcv. ii. 3, 4. God commanded thee to 
I know him and to fear him. Dofl thou fay yea, 
but my mind is blinded, and my heart is hardened 
from his fear? I anfwer, God doth offer to en- 
lighten thy mind, and to teach thee this fear; 
that is pxefented to thy choice, Prcv. i. 29 V 
M For that they hated knowledge, and did not 
*' choofe the fear of the Lord.' 5 So that now if 
I men live in ignorance and eftrangement from the 
Lord, it is becaufe they " will not underftand and 
** defire the knowledge of his ways," Job xxi. 14. 

If thou criefl after knowledge, if thou feekefi: 
44 her as iilver, &c. then (halt thou understand the 
" fear of the Lord, and find ' the knowledge of 
'* God," Prcv. ii. 3, 5. , Is not here a fair offer? 
u Turn ye at my reproof, behold I will pour out 
*' my Spirit unto you," Prcv, i. 23. Though of 
yourfelves you can do nothing, jnet-you may do all 
through his Spirit enabling you, and he doth offer 
affiftance to you. God bids you " wafh and make 
** you dean," Ifa. i. 16.; you fay you are unable, 
as much as the leopard to wafti out his fpot?, Jer* 
xiii. 23. ; yea, but the Lord doth offer to purge 
you, fo that if you be filthy dill, it is through 
your owa wilfulnefs, Ezek* xxiv. 13. " I havQ 



Motives to Converjlon* 



*' purged thee, and thou wad not purged, " Jer* 
ariii. 27. " O Jerufalem, wilt thou not be made 

clean? When fhail it once be V 9 God doth wait 
when you will be made clean, when you will yield 
to his motions, accept of his offers, and let him do 
for you and in you, what you cannot do for your- 
selves. You do not know how much God will do 
upon your importunity, if you will be but reftlefs 
and inilant with him, Luke xL 8. and xviii. 5. 

Though God hath not bound himfelf by exprefs 
promife to wicked men, to give them grace in the 
diligent ufe of the means, yet he hath given them 
abundance of encouragement to expeft it from 
Lira, 5f they feek it earneftly in his way. His mod 
gracious nature is abundant encouragement. If a - 
rich and moft bountiful man mould fee thee in mi- 
sery, and bid thee come to his door, would ft thou 
jiOt with confidence expect at thy comiug to find 
fome relief? Thou art not able to. believe, nor re- 
pent: God appoints thee to ufe fuch and fuch 
means, ia order to thy obtaining faith and repent- 
ance; doth this not argue, that God will beltow 
ihefe upon thee if thou doll ply him diligently in 
prayer, meditation, reading, hearing, feif-exami= 
nation, and the reft of his means? Otherwife God 
Ihould but mock his poor creatures, to put them 
upon thefe felf-denying endeavours, and then when 
they have been hard put to it, and continued 
waiting - UDon him for grace, deny, them at laft. | 
Surely if a good-natured man would not deal thus, 
much lefs.wUl the molt merciful and glorious God, 



^fht Conclufion* 



The conclusion of the whole, 

AND now, my brethren, let me know your 
minds: What do you intend to do? will yon 
go on and die ? Or, will you let upon a thorough 
and fpeedy conversion, and lay hold on eternal 
life? How long will yc linger in Sodom ? " How 
*< long will ye halt between two opinions ?" — 
1 Kings xviii. 21. Are you not yet refolved whe- 
ther Chrift or Barabbas, whether blifs or torment, 
whether the land of Cabui, 1 Kings ix. 13. or the 
paradife of God be the better choice? It is a dis- 
putable caufe whether the Abana and Pharphar of 
Damafcus be better than all the ftTeams of Eden; 
or whether the vile puddle of fin is to be prefer- 
red before the water of life, clear as cryftal, pro- 
ceeding out of the throne of God, and of the 
Lamb ? — Can the world, in good earaeft, do that 
for you, which Chrift can? — Will it ftand by you 
to eternity ? — Will pleafures, lands, titles, or trea- 
lures defcend with you? P/alm xlix. 17. 1 Tim. 
vi. 7. If not, had you not need look after fome- 
what that will ? What mean you to ftand waver- 
ing ? to be off and cn^ Foolifh children ? how 
long will ye ftick between the womb and the 
world? Shall I lead you at la ft no farther thar* 
Agrippa, but almoft perfuaded ? why, ybu are 
for ever loft if left there; as good not at all, as 
not altogether Chrifiians. You are half in the 
mind to give over your former negligent life, and 
fet to a ftrid and holy courfe; you could wifh you 
were as fome others are, and could do as they can 
do : — How long will you reft in idle wifties and 



Tht CcnduZon* 



fruitlefs purpcfes ? When will yeu com« to a flxecJ, 
firm, and full refolve? Do you not fee how Satan 
gulls you, by tempting you to delays? How long 
hath he drawn you on in the way of perdition ?™ 
Kow many years have you been purpofing to 
mend?— What if God fhould have taken you oft 
all this while? 

Well, put me not- off with a dilatory anfwer: 
Tell me not of hereafter, I mud have your im- 
mediate confent : If you be not now refolved, 
while the Lord }s treating with you, and courting 
you, much lefs are you like to be hereafter, when 
thefe impreffions are worn out, and you are har- 
dened through the deceitfulnefs of fin. Will you 
give me your hands? Will you fet open the doors, 
and receive the Lord Jefus the full and ready pofief- 
£on ? Will you put your names into his cove- 
nant? Will you fubferibe? What do you refolve 
upon? If you are flill upon your delays, my la- 
bour is loft, and all is like to come to nothing.— 
Pain I would that you fhould now put in your ad- 
ventures. Come, call in your lot, make your 
choice. " Now is the accepted time, now is the 
*' day of falvation : Tc-day if you will hear his 
** voice." Why fhould 'not this be the day from 
whence thou ihouldeft. be able to date thy happi- 
uefs? Why fhouldetl thou venture a day longer in 
this dangerous ard dreadful condition ? What if 
God fhculd this night require thy foul? " O that 
«' thou mighteft know in this thy day, the things 

that belong to thy peace, before they be hid from 
*' thine eyes," Luke xix. 42. This is thy day and 
is is but a day, John ix. 4. Others have had their 
day, and have received their doom, and now art ' 
thou brought upon the ftage of this world, here to 



The Conclufax* 1 43 

aft thy part for the whole eternity. Remember 
thou art now upon thy good behaviour for ever> 
lading ; if thou make not a wife choice now, thou 
art undone for ever. Look what thy prefent 
choice is, fuch muft thine eternal condition be, 
Luke x. 42. and xvi. 25. Prou. i. 27* 29* 

And is it true indeed ? Is life and death at thy 
choice? Yea, it is as true as truth is, Deut. xiii. 14* 
why then, what hinders but that thou fnouldeft be 
happy? Nothing doth or can hinder but thine own 
wilful negleft or refufaL It was the fpeeeh of the 
Eunuch to Philip, " See here is water, what doth. 
*' hinder me to be baptized?" So I may fay to thee, 
See here is Chrift, here is mercy, pardon, and life; 
what hinders but that thou fhouldefl: be pardoned, 
and faved ? One of the martyrs, as he was pray- 
ing at the (lake, and his pardon fet by him in a 
box (which indeed he, refuted defervedJy,. becaufe 
upon unworthy terms) but here the terms are molt 
honourable and eafy. O finner ! Wilt thou bum 
with thy pardon by thee * Why,- do but forthwith 
give up thy confent to Chrift, to renounce thy fins, 
deny thyfelf, take up the yoke and the crofs, and 
thou carrier!: the day ; Chrift is thine, pardon, 
peace, life, and bleffednefs, all are thine: And is 
not this an offer worth embracing ? Why fiiouldeft 
thou helitate, or doubtfully difpute about the cafe ? 
Is it not paft controverfy whether God be better 
than fin, and glory than vanity ? Why ftiouldeft 
thou forfake thy own mercies, and fin againft thy 
own life? When wilt thou fhake off thy iloth, and 
lay by thine excufes ? " Boait not thyfelf of to- 

morrow, thou knoweft not where this ni^ht may 
11 lodge thee," Prcv. xxvii, 1. 



The Condujion* 



Beloved, now the holy Spirit is ftriving with you ; 
lie will not always ftrive. Haft thou not felt thine 
heart warmed by the Word, and been almoft per- 
fuaded to leave off thy fins and come in to God ? 
Haft thou not felt fome good motions in thy mind» 
wherein thou haft been warned of thy danger, and 
told what thy carelefs courfe would end in r It may 
be, thou art like young Samuel, who, when the Lord 
called once and again, knew not the voice of the 
Lord, i Sam, iii. 6, 7.; but thefe motions and items 
are the offers, and effays, and callings, and ftrivings 
of the Spirit : O, take the advantage of the tide,, 
and know the day of thy vifitation. 

Now the Lord Jefus ftretcheth wide his arms to 
receive you ; he befeecheth you by us. How mo- 
vingly, bow meltingly, how pitifully, how com- 
paffionately he calleth ! The church is put into a 
iudden ecftafy upon' the foond of his voice, " The 
*' voice of my beloved !" Cant. ii. 8. O, wile 
thou turn a deaf ear to his voice ? Is it not the 
voice that breaketh the cedars, and maketh the 
mountains fkip like a calf: that fhaketh the wilder- 
nefs, and divideth the flames of fire : It is not Si- 
jiai's thunder, but a (oh and ftill voice: It is not 
the voice of Mount Ebal, a voice of curfiog and 
terror, but the voice of Mount {jerezim, the voice 
of blefiing, and of glad tidings of good things : It 
is not the voice of the trumpet, nor the voice of 
war, but a meffage of peace from the King of Peace, 
Eph. vi, 15. 2 Cor. v. 8, 20. Meshinks it mould 
be with thee as with the fpoufe, « My foul failed 
** when he fpake," Ca?it. v. 6. I may fay unta 
thee, O finner ! as Martha to her fifter, " The 
** Matter is come and he calleth for thee," John 
%h 28; O, now with Mary arife quickly and com§ 



The Ccnclujicri* -145 

unto him ! How fweet are his invitations ! He cri- 
cth in the open concourfe, " If any man third, let 
*' him come to me and drink," John vii. 37. 
Prov. i. 21. He broaches his own body for thee, 
O come and lay thy mouth to his fide I How free is 
he! he ex'cludeth none: Whofoever will, let him 
" come and take the water of life freely," Rev* 
xxii. 17. *' Whofo is Ample, let him tarn in hither* 
" Come eat of my bread, drink of the wine that I 

I *' have mingled. Forfake the fooiilh and live," 
Prov. ix. 4, 6. ** Come unto me, &c. take my" 
" yoke upon you, and learn of me, and ye mail find 

I " red to your fouls," Mat. xi. 28, 29. " Him that 
* ( cometh to me, I wilt in no wife caft out," John vi. 
37. How doth he bemoan the obftinate refufer ? 
** O Jerufalem! Jerufalem ! how often would I have 
<f gathered thy children, as a hen gathereth her 
** chickens under her wings, and ye would not !" 

! Mat. xxiii. 37. " Behold me, behold me 1 I have 
** dretched out my hands all the day to a rebellious 
" people," I/a. lxv. 1,2. O be perfuaded now at 
Jaft to throw yourfelves into the arms of love. 

Bthold, O ye fons of men, the Lord Jeftrs hatli 
thrown open the prifon, and now he cometh to 
you, as the magidrates once to them, ~A8s xvi. 39* 
and befeeches you to come out. If it were from 
a palace or paradife that Chrid did call yon, it 
were no wonder if you were unwilling ; (and yet 
how eafily was Adam deluded thence!) but it is 
from your prifon, Sirs, from your chains, from the 
dungeon, from darknefs, that he calleth you, Ifa. 
xYn. 6, 7. ; and will ycu not come ? He calls you 
unto liberty, Gal. v. 13. and will you not hearken f 
His yoke is eafy, his laws are Hbeay, his-iervice 
N 



! 



146 



The Conch/ion. 



freedom, Mat. xi. 30. James i. 25. 1 Cor. viL 
22. ; and whatever prejudices you may have againfi 
his ways, if a God may be believed, you fhall find 
them all pleafure and peace, and fhall tafte fweetnefs 
and joy unutterable, and take infinite delight and 
felicity in them, Prav. Hi. 17. Pfalm cxix. 10 j, 
311, 165. 1 Pet. i. 8. 

Beloved, I am loth to leave you ; I cannot tell 
how to give you over. I am now ready to fhut up, 
iut would fain ftrike this bargain between Chrift 
and you before I end. What! fhall I leave you as 
I found you at laft ? Have you read hitherto, and 
are you not yet refolved upon a prefent abandoning 
all your fins, and clofing with Jefus Chrift ? Alas ! 
what fhall I fay ? What fhall I do? Will you refill 
all my importunity ? Have I run in vain ? Have 
1 ufed fo many arguments, and fpent fo much time 
to perfuade you, and will you at laft difappoint me ? 
But it is a fmall matter that you rejeft me ; you 
put a flight upon the God that made you ; you re- 
ject the bowels and befeeching of a Saviour, and 
will be found reMers of the Holy Ghoft, Aft* vii. 
if you will not now be prevailed with Id rtpent 
and be converted. 

Well, though I have called you long, and yoa 
lave refufed, I fhall yet this once more lift up my 
voice like a trumpet, and cry from the higheft 
places of the city, before I conclude with a mife* 
jable conclamatum eft. Once more I fhall call re- 
gardlefs finners, that, if it be poffible, I may awaken 
them ; M O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the 
•* Lord," Jer. xxii. 29. Unlefs you be refolved to 
die, lend your ears to the laft calls of mercy. Be- 
hold! in she name of God I make open proclamation 



The Conctujion* 



to you. " Hearken unto me, 0 ye children, hear 
| *' inftru&ion, and be wife> and refafe it not," Prov. 
viii. 32, 33. 

** Ho, every one that thirftetfa, come ye to the 

waters ; and he that hath no money, come ye, 
« buy and eat : Yea, come buy wine and milk 
*' without money, and without price. Wherefore 
*' do you fpend your money for that which is not 
<c bread, and your labour for that which fatiiieth 
** nor? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye 
€< that which is good, and let your foul delight it- 

felf in fatnefs. Incline your ear, and come unto 
*' me ; hear, and your foul fhall live ; and I will 
" make an everla^ing covenant with you, even 
#< the fare mercies of David," I/a. Iv. 1,3. 

Hp, every one that is fick of any manner of dif^ 
eafe or torment, Mat, iv. 23, 24. or is poffefTed 
with an evil fpirit, whether of pride, fury, or luft, 
or covetoufnefs, come ye to the Phyfician, bring 
away your fick : Lo, here is he that " healeth all 
" manner of fickneffes, and all manner of difeafes 
** among the people " 

Ho, every one that is in debt, and every one that 
is in diftrefs, and every one that is difecmented, 
• gather youi fdf onto Chrift and he will become a 
Captain over you, he will be your protection from 
the arrefts of the law, he will fave you from the 
hand of jultice. Behold he is an open fandluary to 
you, he is a known refuge, Heb. vi. 18. Pjatm 
xlviii. 3. Away with your fins, and come in unto 
him, left the avenger of blood feize you, left de- 
vouring wrath overtake you. 

Ho, every ignorant fmner, come and buy eye- 
falve that thou mayeft fee, Rev.'ni. 18. Away 
N z 



1\S *fbt Conclujhn* 

with thy excuses \ for thou art for ever loft if thou 
iiontinueft in this ftate, z Cor. iv. 3. ; but accept 
cf Chrift for thy prophet, and he will be a light 
unto thee, I/a. xlii. 6. Eph. v. 14. Cry unto him 
for knowledge, ftudy his word, take pains about 
the principles of religion, humble thyfelf before him, 
and he will teach thee his way, and make thee 
wife unto falvation, Mat. xiii. 36. Luke viii. a. 
John v. 49.; but if thou wilt not follow him in the 
diligent ufe of his means, but idly fit down becaufe 
thou haft but one talent, he will condemn thee for a 
wicked and ftothful fervant, Mat. xxv. 24* 26. 

Ho, every profane finner, come in and live : 

% Return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on 
Vthee; O be intreated, return and come, thou that 
' liaft denied thy mouth with oaths and execrations, 
46 all manner of fins and blafphemies Avail be for- 
%t given thee," Mat. iii. 28. ; if thou wilt but 
thoroughly turn unto Chrift and come in. Tho* 
thou waft as unclean as Magdalene, yet fi put 
*' away thy whoredoms out of thy light, and thy 
* c adulteries from between thy breafts," and give 
up thyfelf unto Chrift as a veflel of holinefs, iit 
for his ufe ; and then, " though thy fins be as 

fcarlet, they Avail be as wool ; and though they 
*' be as crimfcrj, they ftiall be as white as fnow," 
Luke vii. 47. I/a. i. 1 8. 

Hear, O ye drunkards, " how long will you be 
<s drunken ? T*ut away your wine," 1 Sam. i. 14. 
Though you have rolled in the vomit of your An, 
take the vomit of repentance, and thoroughly dil- 
gorge your beloved lull*, and the Led will re- 
ceive you, 2 Cor, vi. 17. Give up yourfelves to 
Chrift, to Jive fob£rJy, righteouAy, and godfy^ 



Tie Conclujtonl 



*49 



embrace his righteoufnefs, accept his govern men t„ 
and though you have been fwine, he will wafti you* 
Rev. i. 5. 

Hear, O ye loofe companions, whofe delight is 
in vain and wicked fociety, to fport away your 
time in carnal mirth and jollity with them, come 
in at Wifdom's call, and choofe her and her ways, 
and you (hall live, Prov. ix. 5, 6. 

Hear, O ye fcorners, hear the word of the Lord ; 
though you have made a fport at godlinefs and 
the profeiTors thereof, though you have made 21 
fcorn of Chrift and of his ways, yet even to you. 
doth he call, to gather you under the wings of hi* 
mercy, Prov. i. 22, 23. In a word, though you 
Ihould be found among the worfl of the black roll* 
2 Cor. *i. 9, 10. yet upon your thorough conver- 
iion you ftiall be waftied, you fhall be juftined, you 
lhall be fan&ified in the name of the Lord Jefus, 
and by the Spirit of our God, ver. u. 

Ho, every formal profeflbr, that art but a luke- 
warm dough*baked Chriftian, and refteft in the 
form of godlinefs, give over thy halving and thy* 
halting, be a Chriftian throughout, be zealous and 
repent; and then, though thou haft been an offences 
to Chrift's ftomach, thou (halt be the joy of his 
heart, Rev. iii. 16, 19, 20. 

And now bear witnefs that mercy hath been of- 
fered you : " I call heaven and earth to record 
" againft you this day, that I have fet before you. 
" life and death, bleffing and curfing ; therefore 
«' choofe life that you may li*e," Deut. xxx. 19. 
I can but woo and warn you ; I cannot compel 
you to be happy, if I could I would. What an- 
swer will you fcnd nie with to my matter I fcet me 
N 3 



150 The CcncluJtcK. 

fpeak to you as Abraham's fervant to them, ff And 
V now if you will deal kindly and truly with my 
*' matter, tell me." Gen. xxiv. 49. O for fuch 
an happy anfwer as Rebecca gave them, ver* 57, 
58. " And they faid, we will call the damfel, 
* { and inquire at her mouth. And they called 
*' Rebecca, and faid unto her, Wilt thou go with 
** this man ? And me faid, I will go." 6 that I 
had but this from you 1 Why mould I be your ac- 
cufer, Mat. x 14, 15. who thiril for your fal- 
vation ? Why fticuld the paFionate pleadings and 
wooings of mercy be turned into the horrid ag- 
gravation of your obftinacy, and additions to your 
Imifery ? Judge in yourfelves : Do you not think 
•their condemnation will be doubly dreadful, that 
jhall go on in their fins, after all endeavours to 
lecal them ? Doubtlefs " it 'lhall be more tolera- 
*' ble for Tyre ar.d Sidon, yea, for Sodom and 
** Gomorrah in the'Day of judgment, than for 
** you," Mat. xi. 22, ^4. 

Beloved, if you have any pity for ycur perilh- j 
Sng fouls, clofe with the prefer, t offers of mercy : 
If you would not continue and increafe the pains 
of your travailing miniiiers, do not ftick in the 
birth. If the God that made you have any au- 
thority with you, obey his command, and come in. 
If you are not the defpifers of grace, and would 
not ihnt up the doors of mercy againil yourfeives, ] 
xepent and be converted; let not heaven itand open 
for you in vain : Let not the Lord jefus open his 
• wares, and bid you buy without money and with- 
out price, in vain : Let not his ministers and rus 
Spirit ftrive with you in vain, and leave you now 
at laft unperfuaded, left the feuntence: go forth 
jagainft you, The bellows are burnt, the lead is 



Mr. Alleine i s Counfel, 151 

tc confumed of the fire, the founder melteth in vain„ 
*' reprobate filver mail men call them* becaufe the 
" Lord hath reje&ed them," Jer. vl. 29, 30. 

Father of Spirits! take the heart in hand that is 
too hard for my weaknefs: Do not thou end, tho* 
I have done; half a word from thy effectual power 
will do the work. O thou that haft the key of 
David, that opened and no man fhutteth, open 
thou this heart as thou didft Lydia's, and let the 
King of Glory enter in, and make this foul thy 
captive! let not the tempter harden him in delays; 
let him not ftir from this place, nor take his eyes 
from thefe lines, till he be refolved to forego his 
fins, and accept of life on thy felf-denying terms. 
In thy name, O Lord God, did I go forth to 
thefe labours, in thy name do I ihut them up. 
Let not all the time they have coft be ioft hours ; 
let not all the thoughts of heart, and all the pains 
that have been about them, be but loft labour. 
Lord, put in thy hand into the heart of this reader, 
and fend thy Spirit, as once thou didft Philip, to 
join himfelf to the chariot of the Eunuch, While 
he was reading the word. And though 1 fhould 
never know it while I live, yet I befeech thee, O 
Lord God, let it be found at that day that fome 
fouls are converted by thefe labours ; and let fome 
be able to ftand forth and fay, that by thefe per- 
fuaiions they were won unto thee. Amen, Amen. 
Let him that readeth fay Amen. 

Mr. Alleine's counsel for personal and 

FAMILY GODLINESS. 

BELOVED, I defpair of ever bringing you to 
falvation without fanftification, or poffefTmg 



l$Z Mr. Alleinfi Counfel for 



you of happlnefs without perfuading you to holi- 
nefs. God knows, I have not the lead hope ever 
to fee one of your faces in heaven, except you be 
converted, and fandtified, and exercife yourfelves 
untogodlinefs: I befeech you, ftudy perfonal god- 
linefs, and family godlinefs. 

i ft, Perfonal godlinefs. Let it be your firft care 
to fet up Chrift in your hearts: See that you make 
all your worldly interefts to Hoop to him, that you 
be entirely and unrefervedly devoted unto him. If 
you wilfully, and deliberately, and ordinarily har- 
bour any fin, you are undone, Pfalmlxy'in. ai. 
Exek. xviii. 20. See that you unfeignedly take 
the law of Chrift as the rule of your words, 
thoughts, and anions ; and fubject your whole 
man, members, and minds, faithfully to him, 
PfaL cxix. 34. Rom. vi. 13. If you have not a 
true refpecl to all God's commandments, you arc 
unfound at heart, PfaL cxix. 6. O ftudy to get 
the image and imprefs of Chrift upon you within. 
Begin with your hearts, elfe you build without any 
foundation. Labour to get a faving change 
within, or elfe all external performances will be 
to no purpofe : And then ftudy to (how forth the 
power of godlinefs in the life : Let piety be your 
iirft and chief bufinefs ; it is the higheft point of 
j,uftice to give God his due. Beware that none of 
you be a prayerlefs perfbn ; for that is a moll cer- 
tain difcovery that you are a Chriftlefs and grace- 
lefs perfon ; or one that is a very ftranger to the 
fear of God, PfaL v. 7. Suffer not your Bibles to 
gather duft ; fee that you converfe daily with the 
word, John v. 39. That man can never lay claim 
to ble/Tednefs, whofe delight is not in the law of 



Ptrfcnal and Fami'y Godtinifs* 153 

I the Lord, PfaL 5. t, 2. Let meditation and felf- 

examination be your daily exercife. 
I But piety without charity is but the half of Chri- 
ftianity ; or rather impious hypocrify. We may 
not divide the tables; fee therefore that you do 
] juftly, and love mercy, and let equity and charity 
run like an even thread throughout all your deal- 
J ings. Be you temperate in all things, and let 
jj chaftity and fobriety be your undivided cornpa- 
! Jaians. Let truth and purity, ferioufnefs and mo- 
! defty, heavenlinefs and gravity, be the conftant 
ornaments of your fpeech. Let patience and hu- 
mility, patience and fincerity, mine out in all the 
parts of your conversation. See that you forget 
and forgive wrongs, and requite them with kind- 
nefs, as you would be found the children of the 
Moft High. Be merciful in your cenfures, and 
put the moft favourable conftruclion upon your bre- 
thren's carnage, that their actions will reafonably 
bear. Be flow in promifing, punctual in fulfilling. 
Let meeknefs and innocence, affability, yielding- 
nefs, and iimplicity, command your conventions 
to all men. Let none of your relations want that 
love and loyalty, reverence and duty, that tender- 
nefs, care, and vigilance, which their feveral places 
and capacities call for. This is thorough godlinefs. 
I charge you before the moft high God, that none 
of you be found a fwearer, or a liar, or a lover of 
evil company, or a fcofFer, or malicious, or co- 
vetous, or a drunkard, or a glutton, unrighteous 
in his dealings, unclean in his living, or a quarre- 
ler, or a thief, or a backbiter, or a railer ; for I 
denounce unto you from the living God, that de- 
£huc~tion and damnation is the end of all fuch, 



1^4 M r > Alkint's Conn/el for 



Prov. xni. 20. James v. 12. Rev. xxu 8. 1 Cor* 
vi. 9, 10. GaL v. 19, 21. 

2. Family godlinefs. He that hath fet up Chrift * 
in his heart, will be Cure to ftudy to fet him up in 
his houfe. Let every family with you be a Chri- 
ftian church, 1 Cor. vi. 19.; every houfe a houfe 
of prayer 1 Let every houfeholder fay with Jolhua, 
" I and my houfe will ferve the Lord," chap. xxiv. 
15. and refolve with David, <c I will walk in my 
4t houfe with a perfect heart," Pfalm ci. 2. Let 
me prefs upon you a few duties in general. 

Firfti Let religion be in your families, not as a 
matter by the bye, (to be minded at leifure, when 
the world will give you leave) but the {landing 
bufinefs of the houfe : Let them have your prayers 
as duly as their meals. Is there any of your 
families but have time for their taking food f 
wretched man ! canft thou not as well find time to 
pray in ? 

Secondly* Settle it upon ycur hearts, that your 
fouls are bound up in the fouls of your family; 
they are committed unto you, and if they be loft 
through your neglecl, they will be required at your 
hands. Sirs, if you do not, you (hall know that 
the charge of fouls is a heavy charge, and that the 
blood of fotils is a heavy guilt. O man, haft thou 
a charge of fouls to anfwer for, and doft thou not 
yet beftir thyfelf for them, that their blood be not 
found in thy fkirts ? Wilt thou do no more for im* 
mortal fouls than thou wilt do for the beafts that 
perifn ? What doft thou do for thy children and 
fervants ? Thou provideft meat and drink for 
them agreeable to their nature ; and doft thou not 
the fame for thy beafts I Thou giveft them me* 



Perfonal and Family Godlinefs. 155 



dicines, and cherifheft them when they be ficfe ; 
and doft thou not the fame for thy fwine ? More 
particularly, 

1. Let the folemn reading of the word, and fing- 
ing of pfalms, be your family-exercifes, John v. 39, 
Pfalm cxviii. 15. See Chrift finging with his fa- 
mily, namely, his difciples, Mat. xxvi. 30. 

2. Let every perfon in your families be as duly 
called to an account of their profiting by the 
word heard or read, as they be about doing your 
own bufinefs : This is a duty of confequence un- 
ipeakable, and would be a means to bring thofe 
under your charge to remember and profit by what 
they receive. See Chrift's example in calling his 
family to account, Mat. xvi. 11, 13, 15. 

3. Often take an account of the fouls under 
your care, concerning their fpiritual dates, (herein 
you muft be followers of Chrift, Mat. xiii. 10, 36, 
51. Mark iv. 10, 11.) make inquiry into their 
condition, infift much upon the finfulnefs and mi~ 
fery of their natural (late, and upon the neceffity 
of regeneration and converfion, in order to their 
iaJvation. Admonifh them gravely of their fins* 
encourage their beginnings, follow them earneftly* 
and let them have no quiet from you, until you fee 
in them a faving change. This is a duty of very 
great confequence, but, I am afraid, moft fear- 
fully neglected : Doth not confeience fay, " Thoa 
" art the man !" 

4. Look to the ftricl fanclifying of the Sabbath 
by all your houfehold, Exod. xx. 10. lev. xxiii. 3. 
Many poor families have little time elfe. O im- 
prove but your fabbath days as diligently in labour- 
ing for knowledge, and doing your Maker's wojrk 3 



1 56 Mr, Alleinfs Coun/el far 

as you do the other days in doing your own work s 
and I doubt not but you may come to fome profi- 
ciency. 

5. Let the morning and evening facrifice of fo- 
lemn prayer be daily offered up in all your fami- 
lies, Pfalm xcii. 1, z r Exod* xxx. 7, 8, Luke u 
9, 10. Beware you be not found among the fa- 
milies that call not on God's name ; for why 
mould there be wrath from the Lord upon your 
families? Jer. x. 25. O miferable families, with- 
out God in the world, that art without family-* 
prayer! What have you fo many family (iris, fa- 
mily wants, family mercies; what, and yet no fa- 
mily prayers ? How do you pray with all prayer 
and fupplication, if you do not with family prayer? 
Eph. vi. 1 3. Say not, " I have no time." What! 
haft thou not ail thy time on purpofe to ferve God 
and fave thy foul? And yet is this it for which thou 
canft find no time ? Find but a heart, and you 
will find time. Pinch out of your meals and fleep, 
rather than want for prayer. Say not " My 
" bufinefs will not give leave This is the greatell 
bufinefs, to fave thyferf, and the fouls committed 
to thee. Bufinefs ! a whet will be no let. In a 
word, the bleffing of all is to be got by prayer, 
Jer. xxix. 11, 12. 2 Sam. vii. 29. ; and what is 
thy bufinefs without God's blefiing ? Say not, " I 
<c am not able ufe the one talent, and God will 
increafe it, Mat. xxv. 24, &c. Helps are to be 
had till thou art better able. But if there is no 
other remedy, thou muft pin with thine abler 
neighbour ; God hath fpecial regard to joint pray* 
er, James v. 4 — 12. A5is xii. 5, 10, iz. 2 Cor. i. 
11.; and therefore you muft improve family ad* 
vantages for the performing of iu 



Per/anal and family Gadlinefs* 1 57 



6. Put every one in your families upon private 
prayer. Obferve whether they do perform it.- — 

I pet them the help of a form, if they need it, till 
j they are able to pray without 'iu Direct them how 
to pray, -by reminding them of their fins, wants, 
and mercies, the materials of prayer. This was the 
! practice of John and Jefus, Luke xi. 1, &c. 

7. Set up catechifing' in your families, at the 
leaft once every week. Have you no dread of the 

j Almighty's charge, that you Ihould teach thefe 
j *' things diligently to your children, and talk of 
«' them as you fit in your houfes?" Deut. vi. 6, &c» 
*' and train them up in the way wherein they 
*! fhould go ?" Prev, xxii. 6. Hath God fo com- 
manded Abraham, that he would " teach his chiU 
*' dren and boufehold," Gen. xviii. 19. and that 
he had many " inftru&ed fervants," Gen* xiv. 14, 
' (fee the margin) and given fuch a promife to him 
thereupon, and will you not put in for a mare, nei- 
ther in the praife nor the promife? Hath Chrift ho- 
noured catechifing with his pre fence, Luke ii. 46* 
and will you not own it with your practice ? Say 
not, " they are carelefs, and will not learn 
What have you your authority for, if not to ufe it 
for God, and the good of their fouls? You will 
call them up, and force them to do their work : — 
And fhould you not at leaft be as zealous in putting 
them upon God's work? Say not, " they are dull* 
" and are not capable:" If they be dull, God re- 
quires of you the more pains and patience ; but fo 
dull as they are, you will make them learn how to 
work; and can they not learn how to live ? Are 
they capable of the myfteries of your trade, and are 
they not capable of the plain principles of religion ? 



1 58 Mr* Alhlnfs Coun/eU Esfr. 



Well, and as ever you would fee the growth of reli- 
gion, the cure of ignorance, the remedy of pro* 
tanenefs, the downfall of error, fulfil you my joy* 
in going through with this duty. 

Will you anfwer the calls of divine Providence ? 
Would you remove the incumbent, or prevent the 
impendent calamities ? Would you plant nurferies 
for the church of God ? Would you that God 
fhould build your houfes, and blefs your fubftance? 
Would you that your children mould blefs you ? — 
O then fet up piety in your families, as ever yoa 
would be blefTed, or be a blelSng: Let your hearts 
and your houfes be the temples of the living God 
in which his worfhip, according to all the afore* 
mentioned directions, may be with conftancy reve- 
rently performed, Pro-v. xxix. 1. "He that be- 
4i ing often reproved, hardeneth his neck, fhall 
*f fuddenly be deftroyed, and that without reme- 

dy." — O be wife in time that you may not be 
tniferable to eternity. 



A 



I COLLECTION 

OF 

PRATERS for FAMILIES. 

A prayer before reading the 

HOLY SCRIPTURES. 

ALmighty God and merciful Father, who kafi 
appointed thy word to be ** a light to our 
" feet, and a lamp unto our piths, and haft caufed 
** all holy fcriptures to be written for our learning; 
u grant us the affiftance of the holy fpirit, that we 
*• may in fuchwife read, mark, learn, and inwardly 
*' digeft them, that by patience and comfort of 
u thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold 
" faft the blefled hope of everlafting life, which 
*' thou haft given us in our Saviour Jefbs Chrift 
In his name we humbly beg this ; to him be glory 
for ever and ever. Amen. 

A FAMILY PRAYER for tin LORD*S DAY 
Morning. 

MOST gracious God, and our Father in our 
Lord Jefus Chrift, it is good for us to draw 
Dear to thee, the nearer the better ; and it will be 
the beft of all when we come to be neareft of all in the 
kingdom of glory. — Thou haft thy being of thyfelf, 

O 2 



A Collet ion of 



and thy happinefs in thyfelf ; we therefore adore 
thee as the great Jehovah : — We have our being 
from thee, and our happinefs in thee, and therefore 
it is both our duty and our intereft to feek for thee, 
to implore thy favour, and to give unto thee the 
glory due to thy name. 

We blefs thee for the return of the morning- 
light, and that thou caufeft thy day-fpring to 
know its place and time : O let " the day-fpring 
*' from on high vifit our dark fouls, and the fun 
*' of righteoufhe-fs arife with healing under his 
** wings." 

We blefs thee, that the light we fee is the Lord's ; 
that *' this is the day which the Lord hath made;" 
hath made for man, hath made for himfelf^ " we 
€i will rejoice and be glad in it." That thou haft 
revealed unto us thy holy Sabbaths, and that we 
were betimes taught to ptit a difference between this 
<3ay and other days ; and that we live in a land iri . 
all parts of whi«h God is publicly and folemnly 
worlhipped on this day. 

We blefs thee, that Sabbath liberties and oppor- 
tunities are continued to us, and that we are not 
wifhing in vain for " thefe days of the fon of man;'* 
that our candleftick is not removed out of its place, 
as juftly it might have been, becaufe " we left cur 

firiUove.V 

Now we bid this Sabbath welcome, " Hofanna 
€( to the Son of David ; blefted is he that cometh 

in the name of the Lord : Hofanna in the high- 

eft. O, that we may be in the fpirit on the 
I* Lord's day ;" that this may be the Sabbath of 
the Lord in our dwelling ; in our hearts a Sab- 
iath of reft from fin, and a Sabbath of reft in God. 

Enable us, we pray thee, to fan&ify this Sab- 



Prayers for Families* 16 1 

bath, as that it may be fan&ified to us, and be a 
means of our fan edification : That by refting to- 
j day from oar worldly employments, our hearts 
may be more and more taken off from prefent 
things, and prepared to leave them ; and that by 
employing our time to-day in the worftiip of God, 
we may be led into a more experimental acquain- 
r ance with the work of Heaven, and be made more 
(i meet for the bleffed world. 

We confefs we are utterly unworthy of the ho- 
nour, and unable for the work of communion with 
thee; but we come to thee in the name of our Lord 
Jefus Chrift, who is worthy, and depend upon the 
afliftance of thy bleffed Spirit to work all for us, 
and fo to ordain peace for us. 

We keep this day holy to the honour of thee, O 
God the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven 
and earth, in remembrance of the work of creation, 
that work of wonder, in which thou " madeft all 
** things out of nothing by the word of thy power," 
and all very good ; and they continue to this day 
according to thy ordinance ; for all are thy fen- 
vants. " Thou art worthy to receive blefling, and 
** honour, and glory, and power, for thou bait cre- 
" ated all things, and for thy pleafure they are 
** and were created. O thou who didft command 
** the light to mine out of darknefs," who faidft on 
the firft day of the firft week, " Let there be light, 
*' and there was light :" we pray thee mine this 
day in our hearts, and give us more and mere 
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in 
the face of Jefus Chrift ; and let us be thy work- 
manfliip, created in Chrift Jefus unto good works £ 
& kind of firft fruits of thy creatures. 

o 3 



i6z 



We likewife fan&ify this day to the honour of 
our Lord Jefus Ghrift, the only begotton Son and 
our exalted Redeemer, in remembrance of his re- 
furre&ion from the dead on the fird day of the 
week, by which he was declared to be the Son of 
God with power. We blefs thee, that having laid 
down his life to make atonement for fin, he rofe 
again for our juftiikation, that he might bring in 
everlalUng righteoufnefs. We blefs thee, that he 
is rifen from the dead as the firft fruits of them that 
ilept, that he might be the refurredlion and the 
life to us. Now we pray, that while we are cele- 
brating the memorial of his refurrection with joy 
and triumph, we may experience in our fouls the 
power of his refurrefticn, that we may rife with 
him from the death of fin to the life of righteouf- 
nefs ; from the duft of this world, to a holy, hea- 
venly, fpiritual, divine life. O that we may be 
planted together in the likenefs of Ch rift's refur- 
redlion, that as Chrift was rifen from the dead by 
the glory of the Father, fo we may alfo walk in 
newnefs of life. 

We fan&ify this day to the honour of thy holy 
Spirit, that bleffed Spirit of grace, the Comforter, 
rejoicing at the remembrance of the defcent of the 
Spirit upon the apottles on the day of Pentecoft, 
the firft day of the week likevvife. We blefs thee 
that when Jefus was glorified, the Holy Ghoil was 
given to make up the want of his bodily prefence, 
xo carry on his undertaking, and to ripen things 
for his fecond coming; and that we have a pro- 
mife that he (hall abide with us for ever. And we 
pr3y, that the Spirit of him that raifed up Jefus 
from the dead may dwell and rule in every one of 
us, to make us partakers of a new and divine na- 



Prayers for Families* 



ture. Come, O bleffed Spirit of Grace, and 
breathe upon thefe dry bones, thefe dead hearts of 
ours, that they may live, and be in us a fpirit of 
Faith* and love, and hoiinefs, a fpirit of power, and 
of a found mind. 

O Lord, we blefs thee for thy holy word, which 
is a light to our feet, and a lamp to our paths, and 
•* which was written for our learning, that we, 
*' through patience and comfort of the fcriptures, 
*' might have hope that the fcriptures are pre- 
I ferved pure and entire to us, and that we have them 
in a language that we underftand. We beg that 
we may not receive the grace of God in vain, — 
We blefs thee that our eyes fee the joyful light, 
and our ears hear the joyful found of a Redeemer 
and a Saviour, and of redemption and falvation 
J by him ; that life and immortality are brought to 
light by the gofpel. Glory be to God in the high- 
eft, that in and through Jefus Chrift there is on 
earth peace and good wiH towards men. 

We blefs thee for the great gofpel record, that 
God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is 
*' in his Son." Lord, we receive it as a faithful 
faying, and well worthy of all acceptation. O let 
him be made of God to us wifdom, righteoufnefs, 
fa notification, and redemption: let us be efFeclual'y 
called into fellowfhip with him, and by faith be 
united to him, fo that Chrift may live in us, and 
we may grow up into him in all things, who is the 
head ; that we may bring forth fruit in him, and 
whatever we do in word or deed we may do all in 
his name. O let us have the fpirit of Chrift, that 
thereby it may appear th2t we are his. And 
through him we pray that we may have eternal 
life, that we may none of us come ftiort of it, but 



164 4 ColleSlion of 

may all of us have the firft fruits and earned of 1% 

abiding in us. 

We blefs thee for the new covenant made with 
us in Jefus Chrift. Lord, we fly for refuge to it, we 
take hold of it, as the hope fet before us. Thou haft 
declared concerning the Lord Jefus, that he is thy 
beloved Son, in whom thou art well pleafed ; we 
humbly beg, Lord, be thou pleafed with us in and 
through him. 

O that our hearts may be filled this day with 
pleafing thoughts of Chrift, and his love to us„ 
that great love wherewith he loved us. O the ad- 
mirable dimenfipns of that love, the height, the 
depth, and length, and breadth of the love of 
Chrift which pafleth knowledge. Let this love 
conftrain us to love him, and live to hinv who 
died for us and rofe again. O that it may be a 
pleafure and mighty fatisfa&ion *o us to think, 
that while we are here praying at the throne of 
grace, our blefted Saviour i$ fitting at the right 
hand of the throne of glory, interceding for us ^ 
We earneftly beg that through him we may find 
favour with thee our God, and may be taken into 
covenant and communion with thee. 

We humbly pray thee, for his fake, to forgive 
all our fins, known and unknown, in thought, 
word, and deed -.—^Through him let us be ac- 
quitted from all guilt. O let there be no cloud of 
guilt to interpofe between us and our God this day, 
and to intercept our comfortable communion with 
thee. And let our lufts be mortified and fub- 
dued, that our own corruptions may not be as a 
clog to us, to hinder the afcent of our fouls hea-* 
^enwards. 

We pray thee affift us In all the religious fervices 



Prayers for Families* i5; 

of this thine own holy day. Go along with us, we 
humbly befeech thee, to the folemn affembly ; for 
if thy prefence go not up with us, wherefore mould 
we go up? Give us to draw nigh to thee with 3 
true heart, with a free heart, with a fixed heart, 
and in full aflurance of faith. Meet us with a 
fcleffing: Grace thine own ordinances with thy 
prefence, that fpecial prefence which thou halt 
promifed where two or three are gathered together 
in thy name. Help us againft our manifold infir- 
mities, and the iins that do mod eafily befet us in 
our attendance upon thee. Let thy word come 
with life and power to our fouls, and be as good 
feed fown in good foil, taking root, and bringing 
forth fruit to thy J>raife : arid let our prayers and 
praifes be perpetual Sacrifices, acceptable in thj^ 
fight through Jefus Chrift. 

Let thy prefence be in all the aflemblies of 
Chriftians this day. In the chariot of the ever- 
lafting gofpel let the great Redeemer ride forth 
triumphantly, conquering and to conquer, and let 
every thought be brought into obedience to him. 
Let many be brought to believe the report of the 
gofpei, and to many let the arm of the Lord be re- 
vealed. Let finners be converted unto thee, and 
thy faints edified and built up in faith, holinefs, and 
comfort unto falvation. 

All which, with every other needful mercy, we 
humbly afk, in the name, and through the media- 
tion of thy dear Son, in whofe words we further 
call upon thee. 

Our Father, &c. 



A Collision of 



A FAivirLY prayer for the lord's day 

Evening. 

O Eternal and forever blefTed and glorious Lord 
God, thou art God over all, and rich in mercy 
to all that call upon thee; mod wife and powerful 
holy, juft, and good; the King of kings, and Lord 
of lords ; our Lord and our God. 

Thou art happy without us, and haft no need of 
our fervices, neither can our goodraefs extend unto 
thee, but we are inifeTable without thee ; we have 
iieed of thy favour, and are undone, for ever un- 
done, if thy gcodnefs extend not unto us : And 
therefore, Lord, we intreat thy favour with our 
whole hearts ; O let thy favour be towards us ia 
Jefus Chrift, for our happinefs is bound up in it, 
and it is to us better than life. We confefs we 
have forfeited thy favour, we have rendered our- 
felves unworthy of it ; yet we are humbly bold to 
pray for it in the name of Jefus Chrift, who loved 
us, and gave himfelf for us. 

We bewail it before thee, that we have been mi- 
ferable finners ; but with thee, O God, there is 
mercy and plenteous redemption. Thou haft gra- 
cioufly provided for aH thole that repent and be- 
lieve the gofpel, that the guilt of their fins lhall be 
removed thro* the merits of Chrift*s death, and 
the power of their fins broken by his Spirit, 
ami grace ; and he is both ways " able to fave to 
* ( the uttermoft all thofe that come unto God by 
** him, feeing he ever liveth to make interceffion 
" for us." 

Lord, we come to thee as a Father, by Jefus 
Chrift the Mediator, and earnestly defue by repent* 



Traytrs for Families* i6 f 

! , ance and faith to turn from the world and the flel& 
to God in Jefus Chrift, as our ruler and portion. 
We are forry that we have offended thee, we are 
afhamed to think of our treacherous and ungrateful 
carriage towards thee. We defire that we may 
have no more to do with fin, and pray as earneftly 
! that the power of fin may be broken in us, as that 
J the guilt of fin may be removed from us : And we 
ij rely upon the righteoufnefs of Jefus Chrift, and 
upon the merit of his death, for the procuring thy 
j favour. O look down upon us in him, and for 
his fake receive us gracioufly, heal our backflid- 
ings, and love us freely ; And let not our iniquity 
be our ruin. 

We beg, that being juftified by faith, we may 
have peace with thee, O God, through our Lord 
j Jefus Chrift, whom thou haft fet forth to be a pro- 
pitiation for fin, that thou mayeft be juft, and the 
juftifier of them who believe in Jefus. 

And mayeft thou, the God of peace, fanctify m 
wholly; begin and carry on that good work in 
each of our fouls, and make us in every thing fuch 
as thou woddft have us to be. Fill us with all the 
graces of thy Spirit, that we may be fruitful in 
the fruits of righteoufnefs, to the glory and praife 
of thee our God. 

Mortify our pride, and clothe us with humility; 
mortify our paflions, and put upon us the ornament 
of a meek and quiet fpiric; which is in thy fight of 
great price. Save us from the power of a vain mind, 
and let thy grace be mighty in us to make us feri- 
ous and fober-minded. Let the flelh be crucified 
in us, with all its afFe&ions and lufts, and give us 
grace to keep under our body, and to bring it into 
iubjeftion to the laws of religion and right reafon* 



1 68 AColkaionof 

and always to pofTe£s our vefTel in fanftification and 

honour. 

Let the love of the world be rooted out of us, 
and that covetoufnefs which is idolatry; and let 
the love of God in Chrift be rooted in us. Shed 
abroad that love in our hearts by the Holy Ghoii, 
and give us to love thee the Lord our God with all 
our heart, and foul, and mind, and might ; 2nd 
so do all we do in religion from a principle of love 
to thee. 

Mortify in us all envy, hatred, malice, and un- 
charitablenefs ; pkck up thofe roots of bitternefs 
out of our minds, and give us grace to love one 
another with a pure heart, and fervently, as be- 
comes the followers of the Lord Jefus, who has 
given us this as his new commandment. O that 
brotherly love may continue among us without dif- 
fimulation. 

We pray thee, rectify all our miftakes ; if in 
any thing we be in an error, difcover it to us; 
and let the Spirit of Truth lead us into all truth, 
the truth as it is in Jefus; and give us that good 
undemanding which they have that do thy com- 
mandments; and let our love and all good a flee- \ 
tions abound in us dill more and more in know- 
ledge and all judgment. 

Convince us, we pray thee, of the vanity of this 
world, and its utter infufheiency to make us hap- 
py, that we may never let our hearts upon it, 
hot raife our expectations from it; and convince n 
us of the vilenefs of fin, and its certain tendency 
to make us miferabie, that we may hate it and \\ 
dread sr, arid every Uiing ;hat looks like it, or leads 
to it* - " } 



Prayers for Families. 1 69 

Convince us, we pray thee, of the worth of our 
own fouls, of the weight of eternity, and the aw- 
fulnefs of that everlafting ftate which we are ftand- 
ing upon the brink of; and make us diligent and 
ferious in our preparation for it, labouring chiefiy a 

1 not for the meat that peri&eth, but for that which 
endureth to everlafting life; as thofe who have fet 
their affeclions on things above, and not on things 
that are on the earth, which are trifling and tran- 

; fuory. 

O that time, and the things of time, may be as 
i nothing to us, in companion of eternity and the 
things thereof: O that eternity may be much 
upon our heart, and ever in our eye ; that we may 
be governed by that <k faith which is the fubftance 
*' of things hoped for, and the evidence of things 
i* not feen;" looking continually at the things that 
are not feen, that are eternal. 

Give us grace, we pray thee, to look up to the 
other world with fuch an holy concern, as that we 
may look down upon this world with an holy con** 
tempt and indifferency, as thofe that muft be here 
but a very little while, and muft be fo me where for 
ever: That we may " rejoice as though we rejoiced 
" not, and weep as though we wept not, and buy 
*■ as though we poffeiTed not, and may ufe this 
" world as not abufing it;" becaufe the fafhion of 
$his world paffeth, and we are pafing away with it. 
O give us hearts truly mortified, and crucified to the 
world, and may the world be crucified to us. 

O let thy grace be mighty in us, and fufficient 
for us, to prepare us for that great change which 
will come certainly and Hiortly, and may come very 
fuddenly, which will remove us from a world of 
P 



17 o 



A Colkaion of 



fpirlts ; from our (late of trial and probation, to 
that of recompence and retribution : And to make 
us meet for the inheritance of the faints in light, 
that when we fail we may be received into ever- 
Jafting habitations. 

Prepare us, we befeech thee, for whatever we 
may meet with betwixt this evening and the grave. 
We know not what is before, and therefore know 
not what particular provifion to make, but thou 
doft; and therefore we beg of thee to fit us by thy 
grace for all the fervices and all the fufferings 
which thou (halt at any time call us out to; and 
arm us againft every temptation we may at any 
time be aiTaulted with ; that we may at all times 
and in all conditions glorify thee, O God, keep a 
good confcience, and be found in the way of our 
duty; and may keep up our hope and joy in Chrift, 
and a believing profpect of eternal life; and them 
welcome thy holy will. 

Give us grace, we pray thee, to live a life of 
communion with thee, both in ordinances and pro- 
vidences: to fet thee always before us, and to have 
our eyes ever up unto thee, and to live a life of 
dependence upon thee, upon thy power, providence, 
and promife; trufting in thee at all times, and 
pouring out oar hearts before thee; and to live a 
life of devotednefs to thee, and to thine honour 
and glory, as our highefl end: And that we may 
make our religion not only our bufinefs but our 
pleafure, we befeech thee to enable us to Hve a life of 
complacency in thee, and to rejoice in thee always. 

We befeech thee preferve us in our integrity to 
our dying day, and grant that we may never for- 
fake thee, or turn from following after thee ; but 
that with purpofe of heart we may cleave unco the 



Prayers for Families. 



j Lord, and may not count life itfelf dear to us, fo 
we may finiih our courfe with joy. 

Let thy good providence order all circumftances 
! of our dying, fo as may bed befriend our comfort- 
j able removal to a better world ; and let thy grace 
! be fufticient for us, to enable us to finifh well; and 
j let us then have an abundant entrance miniftered to 
i us into the everlafting kingdom of our Lord and 
j Saviour Jefus Chrift. 

I And while we are here, make us every day 
wifer and better, more weaned from the world, 
and more willing to leave it; more holy, heavenly, 
and fpiritual: That the longer we live in this 
world, the fitter we may be for a better, and that 
our laft days may be our bed days, our laft works 
Our beft works, and our laft comforts our fweeteft 
comforts. 

O that the light of all Chriftians did fo ihine 
before men, that others might glorify thee our Fa- 
ther which art in heaven ! Send froth thy light and 
thy truth into the dark corners of the earth, that 
all kings may fall down before thee, and all nations 
do thee fervice! Blefs thefe kingdoms, and give us 
grace at length to bring forth fruits meet for repent- 
ance. O Lord, fave the King, and eftabhlh his 
throne in righteoufnefs. Profper tne endeavours 
of all thofe who faithfully feed thy people, and in- 
Creafe the number of them. Blefs the word we 
have heard this day to us, and all that heard it. 
Hear our prayers, accept our praifes, and forgive 
what thy pure eye hath feen amifs in us and our per- 
formances. We blefs thee for all the mercies of 
this thine holy day; we have reafon to fay, that 
u one day in thy courts is better than a thoufand." 
P a 



17* 



J Colhciion of 



Take us under thy protection this night, and 
enable us to clofe the day with thee, that we may 
lie down, and our deep may be fweet. Be with 
us in the following week in all our ways: Forgive 
us that we have brought fo much of the week with 
us into the Sabbsth, and enable us to bring a great 
deal of the Sabbath with us into the week, that we 
may be the fitter for the next Sabbath, if we live 
to it. 

• Make us meet for the everlafting Sabbath which 
we hope to keep in thy kingdom, when time and 
days mall be no more. 

As it is our defire to begin the Lord's day with the 
joyful memorials of Chrill's refurre&ion, fo we de- 
fire to conclude it with the joyful expectations of 
Chrift's fecond coming, and of our own refurrec- 
tion then to a bleffed immortality ; triumphing in 
hope of the glory of thee our God. 

Accept, O gracious Lord and merciful Father, 
the poor tribute of our prayers and praifes, through 
Jefus Chrift our only Advocate and Mediator, in 
whofe name and words we farther call upon thee. 

Our Father, &c. 

A fecond morning prayer for a family. 

MOST high and moft holy Lord God, thou 
art great, and greatly to be feared, and re- 
verenced by all thy creatures: Thou art holy, and 
wilt be fan&ified by all who come near thee. 

We Keg leave, O Lord of heaven and earth, to 
fall down and kneel before thy glorious majefty, 
and worihip at thy footftool this morning. We 
acknowledge thy eternal power, wifdom, goodnefs, 
&nd truth, and defire tb render thee our molt un- 



Prayers for Families. 



*7J 



feigned thanks for all the benefits which thou 
poured upon us; But above all, for thine ineftima- 
ble love in the redemption of the world, by our 
Lord Jefus Chrift. 

We implore thy tender mercies in the forgive- 
nefs of all our fins, whereby we have offended, 
either in^thought, word, or deed. We defire to 
be truly forry for all our mifdoings, and utterly 
to renounce whatfoever is contrary to thy will. 
We defire to devote our whole man, body, foul, 
and fpirit to thee. And as thou doft infpire us 
with thefe defires, fo accompany them always with 
thy giace, that we may ever with cur whole 
hearts give up ourfelves to thy fervice. 

We defire to be holy and undefiled, as our blefTed 
Matter was. And we believe thou wilt fulfil all 
the gracious promifes which he hath made to us. 
Let them be dearer to us than thoufands of gold 
and filver ; let them be the comfort and joy of our 
hearts. We humbly afk, that it may be unto thy 
fervants according to thy word. 

Thou haft mercifully kept us the laft night; 
blelTed be thy continued goodnefs : Receive us 
likewife into thy protection this day. Guide and 
afiift us in all our thoughts, words, and actions. 
Make us willing to do and to fufFer what thou 
pleafeft ; waiting for the mercy of our Lord Chrift 
Jefus unto eternal life. 

Blefled be thy goodnefs which hath not fuffered 
us to wander without inftru&ion after the foolifh 
defires of our hearts, but haft clearly mown us 
where our happinefs lies. O ma) we receive with 
all thankfuinefs thofe holy wcri: which teach us 
the bleflednefs of poverty of fpirit, cf mourning 



174 ACvlkaiancf 

L 

after thee, of meeknefs and gentlenefs, of hunger* 
ing and thirfting after righteoufnefs, of mercifulnefs 
and purity of heart, of doing good unto all, and pa- 
tient fuffering for doing the will of our Lord Chrift. 

O may we always be in the number of thofe 
bleffed fouls! May we ever feel ourfelves happy 
in having the kingdom of God within us, in the 
comforts of the Holy One, in being filled with all 
the fruits of righteoufnefs, in being made the 
children of the Higheft, and above all, in feeing 
thee our God. Let us abound in thy love more 
and more; and in continual prayers and praifes to 
thee the Father of mercies, and God of all confo- 
lation in Jefus Chrift our Lord. 

And wedefire the good of ail mankind, efpecially 
of all Chriftian people; that they may all walk 
worthy of thegofpel, and live together in unity and 
Chriftian love. For which end we pray that all 
Chriftian kings, princes, and governors, may be 
wife, pious, juft, and merciful; endeavouring that 
all their fubjects may lead peaceable lives in all 
godlinefs and honefty: And more particularly, that 
our gracious King George may be blefted with a 
religious, quiet, long, and profperous reign; and 
that all in authority under him may feek in their 
feveral ftations to right the opprefTed, to comfort 
the afRicled, to provide for the poor and needy, 
and to relieve all thofe that are in any mifery. 
Blefs all thofe that watch over our fouls; fucceed 
their labours, and give us grace to follow their godly 
admonitions, and to " efteem them very highly in 
*' love for their works fake." The fame bletfings 
we crave for our friends, relations, and acquaintance, 
£bat we may all live in perfect iove and peace tc~ 



Prayers for Families* 



175 



gether, and rejoice together at the great day of our 
Lord Jefus, in whofe name we alk all thefe things* 
and in whofe holy words we fum up all our wants. 
Our Father, &c. 



A Second EVENING PRAYER for a FAMILY. 

ALmighty and moft merciful Father, in whom 
we live, move, and have our being; to whofe 
render companions we owe our fafety the day paft, 
together with all the comforts of this life, and the 
hopes of that which is to come: We praife thee, O 
Lord, we bow ourfelves before thee, acknowledging 
we have nothing but what we receive from thee. 
" Unto thee do we give tha.aks> O God," who daily 
poureft thy benefits upon us. 

BleiTed be thy gocdnefs for our health, for our 
food and raiment, for our peace and fafety, for the 
love of our friends, for all our bleffings in this life, 
and our defires to attain that life which is immortal. 
BlefTed be thy love, for that we feef in our hearts 
any motion toward thee. Behold, O Lord, we 
prefent ourfelves before thee, to be infpired with 
fuch a vigorous fenle of thy love, as may put 
I us forward with a greater earneftnefs, zeal, and 
diligence in all cur duty. Renew in us, we be- 
feech thee, a lively image of thee, in all rights- 
oufnefs, purity, mercy, faithfulnefs, and truth* 
O that Jefus, the hope of glory, may be formed 
in us, in all humility, meeknefs, patience, and an 
abfolute furrender of our fouls and bodies to thy 
holy will : That " we may not live, but Chriii 
4< may live in us;" that every one of us may fay, 
" The life I now live in the flelh, I live by faith 



A Ccllefiion of 



" in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave 
" himfelf for me." 

Let the remembrance of his love, who made 
himfelf an cirering for our fins, be ever dear and 
precious to us. Let it continually move us to offer 
up ourfelves to thee to do thy will, as our bleffed 
Mafter did. May we place an entire confidence 
in thee, and Hill truft ourfelves with thee, who 
haft not fpared M thine own Son, but freely given 
44 him up for us all." May we humbly accept 
of whatfoever thou fendeft us, and " in every 
V thing give thanks." Surely thou " wilt never 
«< leave us, nor forfake us." O guide us fafe 
through all the changes of this life, in an un- 
changeable love ^o thee, and a lively fenfe of thy 
love to us, till we come to live with thee, and en- 
3 jy thee for ever. 

And now that we are going to lay our/elves 
down to fleep, take us into thy gracious protec- 
tion, and fettle our fpirits in fuch quiet and delight- 
ful thoughts of the glory where our Lord Jefus 
lives, that we may defire to be difTolvtd, and go 
io him who died for us, that, whether we wake or 
Heep, we fhould live together with him. 

To thy bleffing we recommend all mankind, 
high and low, rich and poor, that they may all 
faithfully ferve thee, and contentedly enjoy what 
foever is needful for them. And efpecially we be- 
feech thee, that the courfe of this world may be fo 
. peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy 
church may joyfully ferve thee in all godly quiet- 
uefs. We leave all we have with thee, efpecially 
our friends, and thofe who are dear unto us; de- 
firing that when we are dead and gone, they may 



Prayers for Families* 



177 



lift up their fouls in this manner unto thee ; and 
teach thofe that come after to praife, lave, and 
obey thee. And if we awake again in the morn- 
ing, may we praife thee again with joyful lips, 
and ftill offer ourfelves a more acceptable facrifice 
to thee, through Jefus Chrift ; in whofe words we 
befeech thee to hear us, according to the full fenfe 
and meaning thereof. 
Our Father, &c. 




A Third MORNING PRAYER for a FAMILY, 



OMoft great and mighty Lord, the pofTefibr 
heaven and earth, all the angels rejoice iit 
bleffing and praifing thee, the Father of fpirits ; 
for " thou haft created all things, and in wifdomt 
*' haft thou made them all," and fpread thy ten- 
der mercies over all thy works. We defire thank- 
fully to acknowledge thy bounty to us, among the 
reft of thy creatures, and thy particular grace and 
favour to us, in Jefus Chrift, our merciful Re- 
deemer. O give us a deep fenfe of that love which 
gave him to die for us, that he might be " the 
*<* author of eternal falvation to all them that obey 
" him." 

And haft thou not faid, that thou wilt " give 
ec thy holy fpirit to them that a(k it?" O Father 
of mercies, let it be unto us according to thy 
word. Cherifti whatever thou haft already given 
us, which is acceptable in thy fight. And fmce at 
the beft we are unprofitable fervants, and can do 
no more than it is our duty to do, enable us to do 
every thing which thou haft commanded us, heartily, 
with good will, and true love to thy fervice. 



A Qclkfiion of 



C that we might ever approach tiiee with de* 
light, and feel in the joy of our hearts to think 
of thee, to praife thee, to give thee thanks, and to 
offer ourfelves with abfolute refighation to thee. 
O that mercy may always pleafe us as it pleafeth 
thee! That we may be ftriclly juft and righteous! 
May cheerfully pais by injuries, freely deny our- 
felves whatever is not for thy glory; willingly fub* 
mit thy fatherly corrections, and perform the duties 
of our feveral relations with finglenefs of heart. 
Render us fo mindful of the great love of our Lord* 
that we may be zealoully concerned for his glory, 
end ufe our utmoft diligence to promote his reli- 
gion in the world ; delighting to commemorate 
lis death and paffion, making a joyful facrifice of 
our fouls and bodies to him, and earneflly defiring 
sthat his kingdom may come all over the earth. 

Fulfil, moil merciful Lord, all our petitions, as 
far as they are agreeable to the purposes of thy 
providence, and our eternal good; and as thou 
fiaft gracioufly protected us this night, fo accom- 
pany us all this night with thy bleffing, that wc 
may pleafe thee in body and foul, and be fafe un- 
der thy defence, who art ever nigh unto all thofe 
ahat call upon thee. 

And O that all men rhay be awakened into a 
lively and thankful fenfe of thy benefits. Stir 
vp efpecially the minds of all Chriftian people, to 
follow «• the truth as it is in Jefus," and exercife 
themfelves u to have a confeience void of offence 
" toward God and toward man." Blefs thefe 
kingdoms, and endue cur Sovereign with fuch ex- 
cellent wifdom and holy zeal, that we may fee many 
good days under his government. O that true re- 
ligion, jufiice, mercy, brotherly-kindnefs, and all 



Prayers for Families. 



1 79 



things elfe that are praife-worthy, may fo flourifh 
among us that we may enjoy the bleffings of peace 
and plenty, and there may be no complaining in 
our ftreets. 

We recommend to thee all our friends and 
neighbours, all the poor, the fick, and the afRic"ted> 
defiring thofe mercies ibr them, which we mould 
alk for ourfelves, were we in their condition* 
V O God, whofe never-failing providence order- 
«• eth all things both in heaven and earth, keep 
*' them and us, we befeech thee, from all hurt- 
" ful things, and give us thofe things which are 
" profitable for us, according to thine abundant 
" mercy in our Lord Jefus," in whofe name we* 
afk every mercy for ourfelves and others, and in. 
whofe words we conclude our fupplications unto 
thee, faying, Our Father, &c. 

A TbWd EVENING PRAYER for a FAMILY. 

ALmighty and everlafting God, the Sovereign 
Lord of all creatures in heaven and earth, we 
acknowledge that our beings, and all the comforts 
of them, depend on thee the fountain of all good* 
We have nothing but what is owing entirely to 
thy free and bounteous love, O moil blefTed Crea- 
tor, and to the riches of thy grace, O molt blefTed 
Redeemer, 

To thee, therefore, be given by us, and by all 
Creatures whom thou haft made to know how great 
and good thou art, all honour and praife, all love 
and obedience, as long as we have any being. u It 
11 is but meet, right, and our bounden duty, that 
*' we mould at all rimes, and in. all places* give 
" thanks unto thee, O Lord," and devoutly re* 



A Colkftion of 



£gn both foul and body to thee to be abfolutely 
governed and ruled according to thy holy will. 

Father, we' pray thee, increafe every good de- 
fire which we feel already in our hearts; let us al- 
ways live as becomes thy creatures, as becomes the 
difciples of Jefus Chrift. Incline us to be more and 
more in love with thy laws, till they are written 
upon our hearts. Stir up our wills to love them 
exceedingly, and to cleave unto them as our very life. 

O that we might heartily furrender our wills to 
thine! that we may unchangeably cleave unto it; 
yea, with the greateft and molt entire affection to 
all thy commands. O that there may abide for 
ever in us, fuch a ftrong and powerful fenfe of thy 
mighty love towards us in Chrift jefus, as may con- 
ilrain us freely and willingly to pleafe thee in the 
conftant exercife of righteoufnefs and mercy, tem- 
perance and charity, meeknefs and patience, truth 
and fidelity; together with fuch an. humble, content- 
ed, and peaceable fpirit, as may adorn the religion 
of our Lord and Matter. Yea, let it ever be the 
joy of our hearts to be righteous, as thou art righte- 
ous; to be merciful, as thou our heavenly Father 
art merciful, to be " holy, as thou, who haft 
41 called us, art holy, in all manner of conver- 
** fation;" to be endued with thy divine wifdom, 
and to refemble thee in faithfulnefs and truth. O 
that the example of our bleffed Saviour may be 
always dear to us, that we may cheerfully follow 
him in every holy temper, and delight to do thy 
will, O God. Let thefe defues, which thou haft 
given, never die or languifh in our hearts, but 
be kept always alive, always in their vigour and 
force, by the perpetual inspiration of the Holy 
Ghoft. 



Prayers f r Families* s Si 

Accept likewife of our thanks for thy merciful 
prefervation of us all this day. We are bold again, 
to commit ourfelves unto thee this night. Defend 
us from all the powers of darkoefs ; and raife up 
our fpirits, together with our bodies* in the morn- 
ing to fuch a vigorous fenfe of thy continued good- 
nefs, as may provoke us all the day long to an un- 
wearied diligence in well- doing. 

And the fame mercies that we beg for ourfelves 
tve defire for the reft of mankind ; efpecially for 
thofe who are called by the name of Cbriih O 
that every one of thefe may do his duty with all 
fidelity! that kings may be tender-hearted, as the 
fathers of their countries; and ail their fubjects may 
be dutiful and obedient to them, as their children ; 
that the paftors of thy church may feed their 
flocks with truewifdom and underftanding, and the 
people all may follow their godly counfels : That 
the rich and mighty may have compafiion on the 
poor and miferable 1 and that all fuch diftrelTed peo- 
ple may blefs the rich, and rejoice in the profperity 
of thofe that are above them : Give to huibands 
and wives, parents and children, maftera and fer- 
vants, the grace to behave xhemfelves fo in their 
feveral relations, that they may adorn the doctrine 
of God our Saviour in all things, and may receive 
of him a crown of glory : in whofe holy name and 
words we continue to befeech thy grace aod mercy 
towards us, and all thy people everv where, faying, 
Our Father, &c„ 

J fourth morning prayer for a Family. 

OGod, blefled for ever, we thank and pra'fe 
thee for all thy benefits, for ;h« com ort. of 



A Colk&iOTt of 



this life, and our hope of everlafting falvstion in the 
life to come ; more particularly we now blefs thee 
for the care of thy providence over us ; by which 
we have been preserved in fafety thro' the pall 
night, and mercifully dtiendtd from all dangera 
and diftreftes. We denre to have a lively fenfe of 
thy love always pollening our hearts, that may 
Hill conftrain us to love thee, to obey thee, to truil 
in thee, to be content with the portion thy love al- 
lots unto us, and to rejoice even in the midft of ail 
the troubles of this life. 

Thou *' haft delivered thjne own Son for us all. 
" How {halt thcu not with him alfo freely give us 
*' all things V* We depend upon thee, efpecially 
for the grace of thy holy Spirits O that we may feel 
it perpetually bearing us up, by the ftrength of our 
moil holy faith, above all the temptations that may 
at any time afiault us : That we may keep curfelves 
unfpotted from the world, and may ftill cleave to 
thee in righteoufhefs, in lowlinefs, in purity of heart, 
yea, the whole mind that was in Chrift. 

Let thy mighty power enable as to do our duty 
towards thee, and towards ail men, with care, and 
diligence, and zeal, and perfeverance unto the end. 
Help us to be meek and gentle in our converfation, 
prudent and difcreet in ordering our affairs, obfer- 
vant of thy fatherly provideace in every thing that 
befalls us, thankful for thy benefits, patient under 
thy chaftifement, and readily difpofed fcr every 
good word and work. Preferve in us a con Rant 
remembrance of thy all-feeing eye ; of thy inefti- 
mable love in Jefus Chrift, whereof thou haft given 
us fo many pledges, and of the great account we 
mult, give to him at the day of his appearing; that 
fo we may continue ftsdfaft and immoveable^ au4 



Prayers for Families* 



bt abundant in the work of the Lord, knowing that 
our labour {hall not be vain in the Lord. 

Deliver us, we befeech thee, from worldly cares 
and foolifh defires ; from vain hopes and caufelefs 
fears ; and fo difpofe our hearts, that death itfelf 
may not be dreadful to us, but we may welcome it 
with a cheerful countenance, when and howfoever 
it mall approach. 

O that our hearts may be fo firmly eftablifhed in 
grace, that nothing may affright us, or fhake our 
conftancy, but that we may rather choofe to die than 
to difnonour him who died for us ! We refign our* 
felves to thy wifdom and goodnefp, who knoweft 
What is beft for us ; believing thou u wik never 
*' fufrer us to be tempted above what we are able* 
*' and wilt with the temptation alfo make a way 
*' to efcape, that we may be able to bear it." 

We now particolarly defire to put ourfelves tin- 
ker thy protection this day, and to implore thy fa- 
therly care over U3, that no evil may approach us; 
but that our fouls and bodies may be fafe under 
that good and powerful providence in which we 
would entirely truft. 

We commend unto thee all mankind; efpeclally 
thy church, and more particularly thefe kingdoms, 
that we may all believe in our Lord Jefus Chrift* 
and be zealous of good works. Blefs our Sovereign* 
his counfellors, his minifters, and all employed in 
public burlnefs, whether fpiritual or civil, that what- 
soever they do may be for thy glory, and the pub- 
lic good. Be gracious to all that are near and dear 
to us, and keep us all in thy fear and love. Guide 
us, good Lord, and govern us by the fame fpirit, 
that we may be fo united to thee here, as not to be 

0-2 



184 



A CulUfiion of 



divided when thou art pleaied to call us hence, fcuf 
together enter into* thy glory, to dwell with thee in 
Jove and joy that {hall never ceafe, through jefus 
Chrift our blefted Lord and Saviour, who hath 
taught us when we pray to fey, Our Father, &c. 

. A fourth EVENING PRAYER for a FAMILY. 

44 Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wif- 
*' \J dom haft thou made tbem all. The day is 
" thine* the night alfo is thine; thou halt prepared 
*' the light and the fun." We render thee thanks 
for all the benefits which thou hall bellowed on the 
whole world, efpecially on us, whom thou haft called 
to the knowledge of thy grace in Chriil jefus. It 
is a marvellous love wherewith thou hail: loved us, 
Thou haft not dealt fowith all people: And as for 
thy great and precious promifes, they have _not 
known them. 

Accept, O merciful Father, the good refolutions 
which thou haft infpired us with by thy Spirit. 
Strengthen them, we befeech thee, with thy conti- 
nued grace, that no fudden defires, vehement incli- 
nations, ineffectual purpofes, no, nor partial perfor- 
mances, may lead us into a falfe opinion of ourfelves, 
but that we may bring forth actually, and with a 
eonftant fpirit, all the fruits of righteoufnefs, which 
are by Jefus Chrift. 

Preferve us always in ferioufnefs of fpirit. Let 
the fenfe of our weaknefs make us watchful and dili- 
gent, the fenfe of curformer negligenceexcite us to be 
fervent in fpirit, and the goodnefs of thy commands 
render us', fruitful and abundant in the work of the 
Lord. O that all cur pious affections may be turned 
into adions ef piety and holinefs: And may all our 



Prayers for Families. 



actions be fpirited with zeal, and all our zeal regu- 
lated with prudence, and our prudence void of all 
guile, and joined with perfect integrity of heart : 
That adorning our moft holy faith here, by an up- 
right, charitable, and difcreet converfation, we 
may receive praife in the day of the Lord, and be 
numbered with thy faints in glory everlafting. 

O lift up our affections to things above, that we 
may have perfect contentment in well-doing and 
patient fuffering, and the good hope we have of 
being eternally beloved of thee, may make us re- 
joice evermore. Free us from the cares of the 
world, from all diftruil of thy good providence* 
from repining at any thing that befals us ; and 
enable us in every thing to give thanks, believing 
that all things are ordered wifely, and fhall work 
together for good. 

Into thy hands we commend both our fouls and 
bodies, which thou hall mercifully preferved this 
day. We truft in thy watchful providence, who 
giveil " thy angels charge over us; who art about 
** our beds, and about our paths, and fpieft out all 
" our thoughts," O continue thefe holy thoughts 
and deiires in us till we fall a-fleep, that we may 
receive the light of the morning, if thou pro- 
longed our lives, with a new jpy in thee, and 
thankful affections to thee. 

We defire likewife, O God, the good of the 
whole world: Pity the fol.ies of mankind; deliver 
them from their miferies, and forgive thou all 
their fins. Hear the groans of every part of the 
creation, that is yet * c fubject to bondage," and 
bring them all " into the glorious liberty of the 
44 fons of God." Heal the unhappy divifions that 

Q.3 



1 86 



A CoJkfiicth of 



are found among Chriftian churches. We would 
pray for the peace of Jerufalem. Let the truth 
as it 5s in Jefus, prevail, and i* peace be in all her 
«' borders." O that all Chriftian governors may 
*' feek peace and purfue it !" Make thy minifters 
the mefTengers of peace, and difpofe all who are 
called Chriftians to keep the unity of the Spirit in 
the bond of peace. 

Enlighten the minds of all Jews, Turks, and 
Infidels. Strengthen all thy faithful fervants, 
bring back them that wander out of the way, raife 
up thofe that are falhn, connrm thofe that (land, 
and grant them fteadlly to perfevere in faith, love, 
and obedience. Relieve and comfort all that are 
in diftrefs. Let the earth bring forth her fruit in 
due feafon : And let all honeft and induflrious 
people be blelTed in their labours. 

Remember all thofe who have done good unto 
us, and reward them feven-fold into .their bofon% 
Grant forgivenefs and charity to all our enemies; 
and continue good-will among all our neighbours. 
Support the fick with faith and patience; a (a ft thofe 
who are leaving this world. Receive the fouls 
which thou haft redeemed with thy Son's precious 
blood, and fandtified.by the Holy Ghoit. And 
give us all a glorious refurreclion and eternal life. 
All thefe things we afk in the name of jefas Chrift 
our Lord ; in whofe comprehenfive words we Aim 
ttj> all our requefts, faying, Our Father, &c. 

A fifth MORNING PRAYBR for a FAMILY. 

Lord, the God of our falvation, " iho-u art 
\J " the hope of all the ends of the earth." 

Upon thee, the eyes of ail do wait; for thou giveft 
uato al] life, 2nd breath* and a)! things. Thou 



Prayers for Families* 



i8 7 



ftill watcheft over us for good; thou daily reneweft 
to us our lives and thy mercies: And thou haft 
given us the afTurance of thy word, that if we 
commit our affairs to thee, if we acknowledge 
thee in all our ways, thou wilt direct our paths. 
We defire, O Lord, to be {till under thy gracious 
conduct and fatherly protection. We beg the 
guidance and help of thy good Spirit to choofe 
our inheritance for us, and to difpofe of us, and 
all that concerns us, to the glory of thy name. 
• O Lord, withdraw not thy tender mercies from 
us, nor the comforts of thy prefence ! Never pu- 
nilh our paft fins by giving us over to the power of 
our fjns : But pardon all our fins, and fave us 
from all our iniquities. And grant us, O good 
God, the continual fenfe of thy gracious accept- 
ance of us in the Son of thy love, that our fouls 
may blefs thee, *' and " all that is within us may 
" praife thy holy name." 

And O that we may find the joy of the Lord 
to be our ftrength ; to defend us from ail our fins, 
and to make us more zealous of every good work ; 
that fcerein we may " exercife ourfelves, to have 
" a confcience void of offence, both towards God 
" and towards men. O help ** us to walk cir- 
M cumfpectly, not as fools, but as wife, carefully 
" redeeming the time," improving all thofe fea- 
fons and means of grace, which thou art pleafed 
to put into our hands. Sanctify to us all our em- 
ployments in the world ; our croffes alfo and our 
comforts: all the eftates we go through, and all the 
events that befal us, till, through the merits of thy 
Son, and the m altitude of thy mercies, we are con- 
ducted fafe to M be ever with the Lord." 

Thou " haft laid help for us upon one that 



A ColleBion of 



€€ is mighty that is " able to fave unto the uN 
#* termoft all thofe that come unto God through 
*' him." Through him thou haft encouraged us 
to come boldly, that we " may obtain mercy, 
44 and find grace to help in the time of need." 
Help us, we befeech thee, to demean ourfelves as 
becomes the children of God, the redeemed of the 
Lord, the members of Chrift. Put thy Spirit 
within us, caufing us to walk in thy ftatutes, and 
to keep thy judgments, and do them. Yea, let 
it Be our meat and drink to do thy will, and to 
run the way of thy commandments. 

O gracious Father, keep us, we pray thee, this 
day in thy fear and favour, and teach us, in all our 
thoughts, words, and works, to live to thy glory. 
If thou guide us not, we go aftray ; if thou up- 
hold us not, we fall. O let thy good providence 
be our defence, and thy good Spirit our ways. 
And grant that we may do always what is accept- 
able in thy fight, through Jefus Chrift our Lord; 
in whofe holy name and words we clofe thefe our ).; 
imperfect prayers. Our Father, &c. 

Let thy grace, O Lord Jefus, thy love, O 
heavenly Father, and thy comfortable commu- [i 
nion, O blefled Spirit, be with UjS, and with all 
that defirc our prayers, this day and for evermore. !: 

A fifth EVENING PRAYER for a FAMILY. 

/~\ Lord our God, thy glory is above all our 
thoughts, and thy mercy is over all thy 
works. We are ftiil living monuments of thy 
mercy. For thou haft not cut us off in our fins, 
but ftiil giveft us a good hope and ftrong confola- 
tion through grace. Thou haft fent thy only Son } 



Prityers for Families 



into the world, that whofoever believeth in him 
fhould not perifh in his fins, but have everiafting 
life. O Lord, we believe, help our unbelief ; and 
give us the true " repentance towards God, and 
faith in our Lord Jefus Chnft," that we may 
be in the number of thofe who do indeed repent 
I and believe to the faving of their fouls. Being 
j « 4 juftified by faith," let us ** have peace with 
j " God through our Lord Jefus Chrift ; Jet us re- 
" joice in him, through whom we have now re- 
1 * ' demption in his blood and let *' the iove of 
*' God be (bed abroad in our hearts by the Holy 
" Ghoft which is given unto us." 

And as we pray that thou wilt be to us a Father 
of mercies, and a God of confolation, fo that 
thou wilt make us followers of God as " dear chiK 
! «* dren/' ever jealous over our own hearts, and 
j watchful over our ways ; continually fearing to 
offend, and endeavouring to pleafe thee. Thoa 
knoweft, O Lord, all our temptations, and the 
iin that doth fo eafily befet us. Thou knoweft the 
devices of the euemy, and the deceitfulnefs of our 
own hearts. We pray thee, good Lord, that thou 
wilt arm us with the whole armour of God. Up- 
hold us with thy free Spirit, and watch over us for 
good evermore. 

Let our fupplications alfo afcend before thee, 
for the whole race of mankind. Send thy word 
unto all the ends of the earth, and let it be che Sa- 
viour of life unto all that hear it. Be gracious to 
this our native land. O do thou rule all our rulers, 
counfel all our counfellors, teach all our teachers, 
and order all the public affairs to thy glory. Turn 
from us the judgments which we feel or fear; 
continue thy bieffings to our fouls and bodies, and 



I~C A Colkaion of 

rot withftan ding all our provocation, be thou m& 
our God, and Jet us be thy people. 

Have companion on all the children of affii&ion, 
and fancWy thy fatherly corrections to them. Be gra- 
cious to a!l our friends and neighbours. Reward our 
benefactors. Blefs our relations with the beft of thy 
bleffings, with thy fear and love. Preferve us from 
cur enemies, and reconcile them both to us and to thy* 
felf. O rhat all the habitations of Chriftians may be 
houfes of prayer! and be thou efpecially kind to the 
feverai families where thy blefled name is called upon. 
Let thy bleffings red upon us of this family. Blefs all 
our prefent eftates to us; and in us all for whatfoever 
thou (halt be pleafcd to call us to. O teach us u how 
** to want, and to abound :" In every condition fe- 
cure our hearts to thyfelf; and make us ever to ap- 
prove ourfelves fincere and faithful in thy fervice. 

And now, O Father of mercies, be pleafed to ac- 
cept our evening facrifice of praife and thankfgiving* 
O that thou wouldft imprint and preferve upon our 
hearts a lively fenfe of all thy kindnefs to us ; that our 
fouls may biefs thee, and all that is within us may 
praife thy holy name.- Yea, let us give thee thanks 
from the ground of our heart, and praife our God 
while we have our being. For all thy patience with 
us, thy care over us, and thy continual mercy to us, 
bleffed be thy name, O Lord God, our heavenly 
Father ! And unto thee, with the Son of thy love 
and the Spirit of grace, be all thanks and praife, 
now and for evermore. Amen. 

A JlXth MORNING PRAYER fcr a FAMILY. 

O Lord our God, wedefirewith all humility and 
reverence to adore thee, as a Being infinitely 
holy, bleffed, and glorious, who haft all perfection 



Prayers for Families. 



in thyfelf, and art the fountain of being and happi- 
nefs to every creature thy hands have made 
Thou. art good to all, and thy tender mercies are 
over ail thy works ; and thcu art continually do-? 
ing us good, though v/e are evil and unthankful. 
We praife thee that we have liberty of accefs to 
the throne of grace through jefus Chrift. 

We humbly thank thee for all the mercies of this 
night pail; that no plague has come nigh our dwel- 
ling, no misfortune overtaken us, but that through 
thy mercy we are brought in peace and fafety to fee 
the light of another day. It is of thy mercies, Q 
Lord, that we are not confumed, even becaufe thy 
companions fail not, they are new every morning. 

We confefs we have finned againft thee, we are 
guilty before theej we have finned, and have come 
ihort of the glory of God : We have corrupt and 
finful natures, and are bent to backfiide from thee* 
backward to good, and prone to evil continually. 
Vain thoughts come into us, lying down and riling 
up ; and they defile or difquiet our minds, and 
keep out good thoughts. We are too apt to burden 
ourfelves with that care which thou halt graciouily 
encouraged us to caft upon thee. We are very much 
wanting in the duties of our particular relations ; we 
are cold and defective in our love to thee ; weak in 
our defires after thee, and uniteady in cur walking 
with thee ; and do not grow in grace and holinefs 
as we ought t« do. 

We pray thee forgive all our fins forChruTs fake, 
and be at peace with us in him who died to make 
peace, and ever lives making intercelficn for us. O 
Lord, be thou our portion, and the Jot of our inheri- 
tance ; lift up the light of thy countenance upon 
(is* and be merciful unto us. Let thy peace rule in 



igz 



A Collection of 



our hearts ; and let the confolations of our God be 
our ftrength, and our fong in the houfe of our pil- 
grimage. 

Lord, we commit curfelves to thy care and keep- 
ing this day; watch over us for good, and not for 
evil. Compafs us about with thy favour as with a 
fhield : Preferve us from all evil ; yea, the Lord 
preferve and keep our fouls, and preferve our going 
out and coming in. 

Our bodies and all our worldly affairs we com- 
mit to the conduct of thy wife and gracious provi- 
dence, and cheerfully fubmit to its difpofals. Let 
no harm happen to us ; but keep us in health and 
fafety. Blefs our employments ; profper us in all 
our lawful undertakings, and give us comfort and 
fuccefs in them. Let us eat of the labour of our 
hands, and let it be well, with us. 

Our precious fouls and all their concerns we com- 
mit to the government of thy Spirit and Grace. O 
let thy grace be mighty in us, and fufhcient for us; 
and let it work in us both to will and to do of 
thine own good pleafure. O give us grace to do 
the work of this day in its day, according as the* 
duty of the day requires ; and to do even common 
actions after a godly fort ; acknowledging thee in 
all our ways, having our eyes ever up to thee ; 
And be thou pleafed to direct our fteps. 

Lord, keep us fro.u> fin and wickednefs: Give us 
rule over our own fpirits, and grant that we may not 
thisday breakout into pailion upon any provocation, 
or fpeak unadvifedly with our lips. Give us grace 
to live together in peace and holy love, that the 
Lord may command his bleflings upon us, even 
life for evermore. Make us conscientious in all our 



Prayers for Families. \ Q 3 

I dealings; always watchful againft fin, as- become 
thofe who fee thine eye is ever upcn us. Arm us 
againft every temptation ; uphold us in our integrity ; 
keep us in the way of our duty; and grant that we 
may be in thy fear every day and ali the day long. 

Prepare us for ali the events of this day, for we 
know not what a day may bring forth. Give us 
grace to Hand complete in thy whole will; to deny 
ourfelves,take up our crofsdai!y,and to follow Jesus 
Christ. Lord, fit us for death and judgment, and 
eternity ; and enable us to live every day as thofe 
that do not know but it may be their Jaft day* 
Guide us with thy counfel here, and hereafter re- 
ceive us to glory. 

Lord, plead thy caufe in the world ; build up 
thy church into perfect, beauty ; fet up the throne 
of the exalted Redeemer in all places upon the ruins 
of Satan's kingdom. Blefs this nation to which we 
belong; blefs our King, and all in authority under 
him. Blefs the minifters and difpenfers of thy word 
and facrarnents ; let them not preach themfelves, 
but Jefus Chrift, and him crucified. Blefs all thy 
people that make a profeflion of thy holy religion ; 
give them grace to depart from iniquity, and to 
perfect hoiinefs in thy fear. Blefs all that are near 
and dear to us, and make them near and dear to 
thee : Blefs them in their temporal concerns : and 
above all, let their fouls prcfper. Dwell in all thofe 
families that fear thee, and call upon thy name. 
Vifn the fons and daughters of affliction ; make 
their bed in their ficknefs; put thy arm of love un- 
der their fainting heads, and give them an happy 
ilTua out of all their affliction. Succour the tempted, 
relieve the opprefled, and give joy to thofe that 
mourn in Zion. R 



194 A Colkftien of 

This, our morning facrifice,we humbly cfFer up to 
thine adorable Majefty in the ail-powerful, all-pre- 
vailing name of jefus Chrifr, our only Mediator and 
Advocate; to whom, with thee, O Father, and the 
Holy Ghoit, be all honour and glory, world without 
end. Amen.- ■ — Our Father, &c. 

A fiXth EVENING PRAYER, for a FAMILY. 

MOST holy, bkffed, and glorious Lord God, 
whofe we are, and whom we are bound to 
ferve ; we are not our own, but thine, and unto : 
thee, O Lord, do we lift up our fouls. Thou art 
the great benefactor of the whole creation ; thou i 
giveit to all life and breath, and all things : Thou i 
art our benefactot, the God that hath fed us, and 
kept us all our life long until this day. 

H a v i n g o b t a i n e d h e 1 p o f G o d , w e c o n t i n u e h i t h e r t o 
the monuments of his fparing mercy, and are wit- 
Eelles for thee that thou art gracious. One day tel- 
leth another, and one night certifieth another, that 
thou art good ana doll good, and never faileth thofe 
that feek thee and trull in thee. Thou makeft the 
outgoing of the morning and evening to praife thee, 
it is through the good hand of our God upon us, 
that we are brought in fafety to the clofe of another 
day, and are met together to mention the loving- 
Jtindnefs of the Lord, and the praifes of our God, 
who is good, and whole mercy endureth for ever. 
BleiTed e-e the Lord, who daily loads us with his , 
benelits, even the God of our Salvation* We have 
from thee the mercies of the day in its day, accord- i 
ing as the necciiity of the day requires: though we ; 
come far fhort of doing the work of the day a> » 
cording as the duty of Us day requires. 



Prayers for Families. J 95 

We felefs thee for cur health, and peace, and Food* 
iand raiment; for our friends and relations, and every 
other bltfling that makes our pilgrimage eafy and 
comfortable. Above aU, we praife thee, for jefus 
Chrift, and his mediation between God and man 5 
for the covenant of grace mad£ with us in him; for 
all the exceedingly great and precious promifes and 
I privileges of that covenant; for the drawings of 
thy Spirit; the teachings of thy love; for the bene- 
fit of the fcriptures, for the means cf grace, and for 
|! the hope of glory. 

To us, O Lord, belong {haroe and confufion of 
1 face, becaufe of our abufe of rhefe thy mercies vouch- 
fafed unto us. We confefs we have finned againft 
thee: this day we have finned and done fooiifhly, O 
God! thou knoweft our foolifhnefs, and our fins are 
not hid from thee : We mif-fpend our time, we 
neglect our duty, we follow after lying vanities, and 
forfake our own mercies. We offend with our 
tongues, and walk unworthy of our high calling. 
We pray thee give us repentance for our fins and 
daily infirmities, an8 make us duly fenfible of the 
evil of them, and of our danger by them, and let 
the blood of Chrift thy Son cleanfe us from all fin* 
that we may lie down this night at peace with God 
and with our own conferences, by believing in Jefus. 

Do us good by all the providences we are under* 
merciful or afrliclive, and by all bring us near to 
thee and make us fitter for thee. We commit our- 
felves to thee this night, and defire to abide undef' 
the fhadow of the Almighty : Make an hedge of 
rote&ion, we pray thee, about us and about our 
oufesj and about all that we have, that no evil may 
befal us, nor any plague come nigh our dwelling : 
The Lord be our keeper, who neither (lumbers nor 



tg6 



A Coih&ion of 



fleeps; Lord be thou our fun and our fhield. Refrefh, 
our bodies with quiet and comfortable reft: keep us 
from fudden fears and dreadful alarms ; and let our 
fouls be refreftied with a fenfe of thy love and the 
light of thy countenance, which is better than life. 

Reftore us to another day in fafety, and prepare 
us for the duties and events of it : And by all the 
fupports and comforts of this iife let us be enabled, 
both in body and in foul, to glorify thee; always 
remembering that we are not our own, but bought 
with a price. 

And forafmuch as we are now brought one day 
nearer to our end, Lord enable us fo to number our 
days that we may apply our hearts unto wifdom j 
kt us ever be mindful of that time when we muft 
lie down in the dull $ prepare us for our great ! 
change, that when we come to die indeed, it may | 
be no furprife or terror to us; but we may with 
comfort put off the body and refign the fpirit, 
knowing whom we have trufted. 

Let our family be blefted in him, in whom all 
the families of the earth are bleffed : BlefTed in ail 
fpiritual bleffings in heavenly things by Chrift Jefus, 
and with temporal bleffings as far as thou feed good 
for us. Give us health and profperity, but efpeci- 
ally let our fouls profper, and let all that belong to us j 
belong to Chrirt, that we who Jive together here, j 
may be for ever with the Lord in heaven. 

Look, O Lord, with pity upon a loft world, and 
fet up Chrift's throne where Satan's feat now is. 
Send thy gofpel where it is not known ; and make 
it fuccefsful where it is known; and make it mighty 
thro' God to the pulling down of the ftrong-holds ! 
of fin. Let the Church of Chrifl greatly flounfh, and \ 



Prayers for Families. 



*97 



let not the gates of hell prevail againft It; but may 
Jefus fee of the travail of his foul, and be fatisfied. 
Rule in the hearts of our rulers. Own thy mini- 
fters in their work, and make them wife to gain fouls 
to thee. Be gracious to all that are near or dear to 
ns,and make them near and dear to thee by the blood 
of the covenant. Comfort and relieve all that are in 
forrow and affliction; tey no more upon them than 
they are able to bear, and fan&ify every vifitation to 
the good of their fouls. Do for us, we pray thee, 
abundantly above what we are able to afk or think, 
according to the riches of thy grace in jefus Chrift 
our Lord and Saviour, in whole name and words we 
further call upon thee, faying, Our Father, &c. 

A PRAYER before the receiving of sacrament 
of the lord's supper, 

T^^FOST holy, blefTed, and gracious Lord God, 
JlVX w * tn a ^ humility and reverence I here prefenc 
tnyfelf before thee, to feek thy face and in treat thy 
favour, and as an evidence of thy good-will towards 
me, to beg that I may experience thy good work 
in me. 

I acknowledge rnyfelf unworthy, utterly unworthy 
the honour, unfit, utterly unfit for thefervice to which 
I am now cal'ed. It is an ineftimabie privilege that 
J am admitted fo often to hear from thee in thy word, 
snd to fpeak to thee in prayer; and yet as if this had 
been a frnali matter, I am now invited into commu- 
nion with thee at thy holy table, there tocelebrate the 
memorial of my Saviour's death, and to partake, by 
faith, of the precious benefits which flow from it. I, 
who defcrve not the crumbs, am called to t,*i of the 

R 3 



198 



A ColleBlon of 



children's bread. O thou who haft called me to the 
marriage-flipper of the Lamb, give me the wedding- 
garment ; work in me a difpofition of foul, and all 
thofe pious and devout affections, which are fuited to> 
the folemnity of this ordinance, and neceffary to qua- 
lify me for an acceptable and advantageous participa- L 
tion of it. The preparation of the heart, and the an- 
fwer of the tongue, are both from thee: Lord, pre- ji 
pare my unprepared heart for communion with thee, r 

Lord, I confefs I have finned againft thee: I have 
done foolifhly, and foolifhnefs is bound up in my 
heart. I have finned, and have come fhort of the 
glory of God ; I have come fhort of glorifying thee, , J 
and ceferve to come fhort of being glorified witti jj 
thee. The imagination of my heart is evil continu- i 
ally, and the bias of my corrupt nature is very ftrong v 
towards the world and the fiefh, and the gratifica- jj 
tions of fenfe ; but towards God, and Chrift, and 
heaven, I move very flowly : There is in my carnal !j 
mind a wretched averfion to divine and fpiritual 
things. I have mif-fpent my time, and trifled away | 
my opportunities; I have followed after lying vani- b 
ties, and forfaken my own mercies! God be mer- 
ciful to me a finner ! for how little have I done ii 
iince I came into the world, of the great work that !• 
I was fent into the world about ? 

Thou haft taken me into covenant with thee ; I 
have been fet apart tor thee, and feaied to be thine: , 
Thou haft laid me, knd t have laid myfelf under all [< 
polTibie obligations to love thee and ferve thee, and ! " 
live to thee: But I have ftarted a fide like a broken s 
bow. I have not made good my covenant with thee, 
nor hath the temper of my mind nor the tenor of my - 
converfation been agreeable to that holy religion, 
which I make profelSon of t I am bent to backilide 



Prayers for Families. 



from the living God; and if I were under the law, 
I were undone: But I am under grace, a covenant 
of grace, which leaves room for repentance, which 
invites even backfliding children to return, and pro* 
xnifeth that their backfliding (hall be healed. Lord* 
I take hold of this covenant, feal it to me at thy ta« 
ble. There let me find my heart truly humbled for 
fin, and forrowing for it after a godly fort. O that 
I may there look on him whom 1 have pierced, and 
mourn, and be in bitternefs for him ; that there t 
may fow in tears, and receive a broken Chrift into 
a broken heart; and there let the blood of Chrift, 
which fpeaks better things than that of Abel, be 
fprinkled upon my confeience, to purify and pacify 
that: There let me* be afiured that thou art recon- 
ciled tfnto me, that mine iniquities are pardoned, 
and that I fliall not come into condemnation. 

And that I may not come unworthily to this 
blefted ordinance, I befeech thee lead me into a 
more intimate and experimental acquaintance with 
Jefus Chrift, and him crucified ; with Jefus Chrift, 
and him glorified; that knowing him, and the 
power of his refurreclion, and the fellowfhip of hi$ 
bufferings, and being by his grace planted in the 
likenefs of both, I may both difcern the Lord's 
body, and fhew forth the Lord's death. 

Lord, I defire by a true and lively faith to clofe 
with Jefus Chrift, and cbnfent to him as my Lord 
and my God. I here give up myfelf to him as 
my Prophet, Prieft, ar)d King, to be ruled, and 
taught, and faved by him. This is my Beloved, 
and this is my Friend: None but Chrift, none but 
Chrift. Lord, increafe this faith in me, and per feci 
what is lacking in it; and enable me in receiving 



200 



A CoiUaion of 



the bread and wine at thy table, by a lively faith to 
receive Jefus Cbrift the Lord. O let the great gofpel 
doctrine of Chrift's dying to fave tinners, which is 
reprefented in that ordinance, be meat and drink to 
xny foul, meat indeed and drink indeed. Let it be 
both nourifhing and refrsfhing to me: let it be both 
zny ftrength and my fong, and the fpring both of my 
holinefs and of my comfort. And let fuch deep im~ 
preffions be made upon my foul as may abide always 
upon me, and have a powerful influence upon my 
whole converfarion, that the life I now live in the 
flefh I may live by the faith of the Son of God, who 
loved me, and gave himfelf for me. 

Lord, I befeech thee fix my thought?, let my 
heart be engaged to approach unto thee, that I may 
attend upon thee without difira&ion. Draw out my 
defires after thee: Make me to hunger and fchiuft 
after righteoufnefs, that I may be filled ; and to 
draw near to thee with a true heart, and in full af- 
furance of faith ; and rlnce I am not flraitened in 
thee, O let me not be firaitened in my own bofom. 
Draw me, Lord, and I will run after thee; O fend 
out thy light and thy truth, let them lead and guide 
me. Pour out thy Spirit upon me, put thy Spirit 
within me, to work in me both to will and to do 
that which is good, and leave me not to myfelf, 
Awake, O north wind, and come thou fouth, and 
blow upon my garden ; come, O bleffed Spirit of 
grace, and enlighten my mind with the knowledge 
of Chriil, bow my will to the will of Chrift, fill my 
heart with the love of Chrift, and confirm my refo- 
lutions to live and die with him. 

Work in me a principle of holy love and charity 
towards all men, that I may forgive my enemies* 
and may keep up p fpirituai communion ia faith, 



Prayer* for f amilies* 



| liope, and holy love, with all that in every place 
call upon the name of Jefus Chrift our Lord : Lord* 

\ blels them all, and particularly that congregation 
with which I am to join in the folemn ordinance. 
Good Lord, pardon every one that engageth his 
heart to feek God, the Lord God of his fathers* 

| though not cleanfed according to the purification 

I of the fanctuary. O hear my prayers, and heal thy 

\ people. 

Lord, meet me with a bleffing, a Father's blef- 
I fing, at thy table; grace thine own inftitutions with. 

thy prefence; and fulfil in me all the good pleafure 
j of thy goodnefs, and the work of faith with power* 
! for the fake of Jefus Chrift my bleffed Saviour and 
Redeemer, to whom, with the Father and the eter- 
nal Spirit, be everlafting praifes. Amen. 

j '^4r*' *' » v*. ' ■ ■ ■ V ' - . 

Anotbtr after the Receiving of the 
Lord's Supper. 

OLord, my God and my Father In Jefus Chrift, 
I can never fufRciently admire the condefcen- 
fion of thy grace to me 5 what is man, that thou 
doft thus magnify him, and the fon of man, that 
thou vifiteft him ? Who am I, and what is my houfe, 
that thou haft brought me hitherto? haft brought 
me into thy banqueting-houfe, and thy banner over 
me has been love ? I have reafon to fay that a day 
in thy courts, an hour at thy table, is better, far 
better, than a thoufand days, than ten thoufand 
hours elfewhere; it is good for me to draw near to 
God. Bleffed be God for the privileges of his 
houfe, and thofe comforts with which he makes 
bis people joyful In his houfe of prayer. But 1 have? 
reafon to blufh and be afhamed of tfiyklf, that f 



202 A CoUeSihn of 

have not been more afFecled with the great things 
which have been fet before me, and offered to me 
at the Lord's table. C what a vain, foolifh, trifling 
heart have I! when I would do good, even then 
evil is prefent with me : Good Lord, be merciful 
to me, and pardon the iniquity of my holy things, 
and iet not my manifold defects, in my attendance 
upon thee, be laid to my charge, or hinder my pro- 
fiting by thine ordinance. 

I have new been commemorating the death of 
Ghrifr; Lord, grant that by the power thereof fin 
may be crucified in me, the world crucified to me, 
snd I to the world ; and enable me fo to bear about 
with mc continually the eying of the Lord Jefus, 
as that the life a!fb of Jefus may be manifefted in 
my mortal body. 

1 have now been receiving the precious benefits 
which flow from ChrilVs death. Lord grant that I 
may never lofe, may never forfeit thofe benefits ; 
but as I have received Jefus Chrift the Lord, give 
me grace fo to walk in him, and to live; not as my 
own, but as bought with a price, glorifying God 
with my body and fpirit, which are his. I have new 
been renewing my covenant with thee, Lord, give 
me grace to perform my vow; keep it always in the 
imagination of my heart, and eftablifh my way be- 
fore thee. Lord, preferve me by thy grace, that I 
may never return again to folly; after God hath 
fpoken peace, may I never by my loofe and carelefs 
walking undo what I have been doing to-day; Eut 
having my heart enlarged with the confolanons of 
God, give me grace to run the way of thy -com- 
mandments with cheerfulnefs and constancy, and 
Hill t,o hold fall my integrity* 



Pray en [for Families* 



This precious foul of mine, which Is the work of 
thine own hands, and the purchafe of thy Son's 
blood, I commit into thine hands, to be fan&ified by 
thy Spirit and Grace, and wrought np into a con- 
formity to thy holy will in every thing. Lord* fet 
up thy throne in my heart, write thy lav/ there, fhed 
abroad thy love there, and bring every thought 
within me in obedience to thee, to the commanding 
power of thy law, and the con {training power of thy 
love. Keep through thine own name, that which 
J commit unto thee, keep it againft that day when 
it fhall be called for. Let me be preserved blame-, 
3efs to the coming of thy glory, then I may then be 
prefented faultlels with exceeding joy. 

Ail my outward affairs 1 fubmit to the difpofal of 
thy wife and gracious providence ; Lord, lave my 
I foul, and then as to other things do as thou pleafeit 
with me: Only make ail providences to work toge- 
ther for my fpiritual and eternal advantage: Let all 
things be pure to me, and give me to talie covenant- 
love in common mercies; and by thy grace let me 
be taught both how to want and how to abound, how 
to enjoy profperity, and how to bear adverfity, as be* 
comes a Chriltian: And at all times let thy grace be 
fuflicient for me, and mighty in me, both to will and 
to do that which is good of thine own good pleafure. 
And that in every thing 1 may do my duty, and 
ftand complete in it, let my heart be enlarged in 
love to Jefus Chrifi, and 'affected with the height 
and depth, the length and bread th of that love of his 
to me, which paffeth all conception and expreflion* 
And, as an evidence of that love, let my mouth 
be filled with his praifes. Worthy is the Lamb thac 
was {lain to receive bit fling, and honour, and glory, 
and power; for he was flain, and hath redeemed his 



*°4 



A Collection of 



people unto God by his blood, and made them to 

him kings and prietfs. Blefs the Lord, O my foul, f 
and may all that is within me blefs his holy name, 
who forgiveth all mine iniquities, and healeth all my 
difeaies ; who redeemeth my life from deftruclion* ' 
and crovvneth me with loving-kinilnefs and tender I 1 
mercy; who having begun a good work, will per- 
form it unto the day of Chrift. As long as I live I i 
will blefs the Lord, I will praife my God while I 7 
have my being. O let me be borne up. in everlatf- 
ing arms, and carried from flrengch to ftrength, rill 
I appear before God in Zion, for Jefus' fake, who e 
died for me and rofe again ; in whom I defire to ba 
found living and dying. Now to God the Father, 
Son, and Spirit, be afcribed kingdom, power, and 
glory, henceforth and for evermore. Atnsn* 



A prayer for Christian graces. 
OLY, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who 



JjL art > ano - vva ^» an d art to come; who is a God 
like unto thee, glorious in holinefs, fearful in praifes, 
doing wonders? Thou art the bJelTed and only Po- 
tentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords 9 who 
halt only immortality; dwelling in that light which 
no man can approach unto; whom no man hath feea 
or can fee. Thou art a God at hand and not a God 
afar off; none can hids himfelf in fecret places that 
thou canit not fee him ; for thou filler! heaven and 
earth; thine eyes are in every place, beholding the ; 
evil and the good : Thou fearcheft the. heart, and 
trieft the reins; even the thoughts and intents of 
the heart are naked and open before thee. 

I know, O Lord, that thou canft do every thing; 
power belongs- to thee, and with thee nothing is iav 




Prayers for Families. 205 

! poffible; what thou haft promifed, thou art able alfa 
to perform. Thou arr good, and doft good ; good 
to ail, and thy tender mercy is over all thy works: 
O that thou wouldft caufe thy gqodnefs to pafs before 
me, that I may tafte and fee tnat the Lord is good, 

j and have hisloving-kindnefs always before roineeyes. 

0 my God, I am amamed, and blufh to lift up my 
1 face before thee, my God; for mine iniquities are 
j increafed over my head, and my trefpafs is grown 

up unto the heavens; behold I am vile, what fhai! 
i I anfwer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth, 
. and put my mouth in the dull, if fo be there may be 
! hope; crying our, unclean, unclean; If I juftify 
*' myfelf, my own mouth fhall condemn me : If I 
«* fay I am perfect, that aifo (hall prove me per- 
*' verfe ; for if thou contend with me, I am not able 
l" *' to anfwer thee for one in a thoufand: Behold I 
*' was fhapen in wickednefs, and in fin did my 
** mother conceive me; for who can bring a clean 
<l thing out of an unclean ? My underftanding is 
■ " dark, being alienated from the life of God, 
*' through the ignorance that is in me, becaufe of 
. 46 the blindrfefs of my heart.'* 

1 have within me a carnal mind, which is enmity 
againft God; my neck has been as an iron finew, 
and I have made my heart as an adamant; I have 
refufed to hearken, have pulled away the moulder, 
and flopped my ears like the deaf adder. O how 
have I hated inflru&ion, and my heart defpifed re-> 
proof! I have forgotten God, lived as without God 
in the world ; my heart has walked after vanity and 
become vain: I have fet my affections on things be- 
neath, have followed after lying vanities, and for- 
faken my own mercies; have forfaken the fountain 

S 



2p6 



A Collection of 



of living waters, for citterns, broken eifterns that 
can hold no water; there is in me a bent to back- 
flide from the living God ; my heart is deceitful 
above all things, and defperately wicked, %i Harts 
afide like a broken bow: The whole head is fick, 
the whole heart faint; from the fole of the foot even 
to the head there is no foundnefs in me, but wounds, 
and bruifes, and putrifying fores. 

Lord, I come to thee as the poor publican, and 
I pray his prayer, " God be merciful to me a Sr<* 
" ner;" the God of infinite mercy be merciful to 
me. O waih me thoroughly from my wickednefs, 
and cleanfe me from my fin ; for I acknowledge 
my tranfgreilions, and my Go is ever before roe. 
O purge me with hyffop, and I £hall be clean ; wafh 
me and I (hall be whiter than fnow ; hide thy face 
from my tins, and blot our all my iniquities. LeC 
me be juitihed freely by thy grace, through the re-, 
demptioa that is in jefus; (take away all iniquity, 
and receive me gracioully ; heal my backflidings 
and love me freely; and let thy anger be turned 
away from me; for in thee the fatherlefs findeth 
mercy. I will fay unto God do not condemn me, 
but deliver me from going down into the pit, for 
thou halt found the ranfom. I have iinned, Father, 
againit heaven and before thee, and am no more 
worthy to be called thy fon : but I have an advo- 
cate with thee, Jefus Chriii the righteous, and he 
is the propitiation for my fins. Lord, remember 
the true David and all his troubles; remember all 
his offerings, and accept his burnt facrifke; and 
turn not away the face of thine anointed, who by 
his own blood is entered into heaven itfeif, now to 
appear in the prefence of God for man. Remem- 
ber the covenant in his blocd, and be merciful to 



Prayers for Families. 2oj 

Jfrnne Unrighteoufnefs, and my fins, and my iniqui- 
ties require no more. 

j Let me be judified by faith, and have peace with 
God thro* Jefus Chrift; and thro him let me have 
accefs into that grace wherein believers ftand, and 
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. O make me 
jhear of joy and gladnefs, that the bones which fin 
, hath broken may rejoice. Let the blood of Chrif! 
j fpeak better things than that of Abel: Let it fpesk 
pardon and peace to my foul; let it purge my con* 
fcience from dead works to ferve the living God. 
Let thy Spirit witnefs with my fpirit that I am a 
child of God, an heir of God, and a joint-heir with 
Chrift: fay to my foul that thou art my falvaiion. 

Lord, give me a wife and an undemanding hearty 
that which I know not teach thou me; let the Spirit 
| of Truth guide me into all truth, and caufe me to 
tindei ftand wherein I have erred; make thy way 
plain before my face, becaufe of mine obfervers, 
and by the teaching of thy Word and Spirit make 
me wife to falvation. Unto me, Lord, let it be 
given to believe, for the faith by which i am faved 
is not of myfelf, it is the gift of God : Lord, increafe 
my faith, and perfeel what is lacking in it, that f 
may be ftrong in faith, giving glory to God. Let 
every word of thine profit me, being mixed vvithfaith^ 
and enable me to look above the things that are feen, 
which are temporal, to the things that are unfeen, 
which are eternal ; let my heart be purified by faith, 
and enable me by faith to overcome the world, to 
refift the adverfary, and to live continually^upoix 
Jefus, drawing out of his fulnefs grace for grace. 

Unite my heart to fear thy name, that 1 may 
keep thy commandments. O put thy fear into my 
heart, that I may never depart from thee; let me be 



A CoUefiim tyf 



In the fear of the Lord all the day long; deliver me 
from all ilavifh fear that hath torment, and give me 
a filial fear, that I may never wilfully offend againfl 
thee any more. Give me grace, I befeech thee, 
to love thee the Lord my God with all my heart 
and foul, and mind, and ftrength ; to delight myfelf 
always in thee, and therein ihall I have the defire 
tof my heart. G circumcife my heart to love thee, 
that I may live; G may the love of God be fhcd 
abroad in my heart bf the Holy .Ghoft. O thac 
Jefus Chrift may be very precious to me, as he is 
to all that believe; that he may be in my account 
and chiefeft of ten thoufand, and altogether lovely; 
and though I have not feen him, yet I may love him> 
and by believing in him may rejoice with joy un- 
fpeakable, and full of glory. Let the love of ChriH 
to me confhain me to live, not to myfelf but to him 
that died for me and rofe again. Lord, put upon 
me that charity which is the bond of perfe&nefs* 
that I may keep the unity of the fpirit in the bond 
of peace, and may live in love and peace, that the 
God of love and peace may be with me; give me 
to love my neighbours as myfelf, with that love which 
is the fulfilling of the law; to love him with a pure 
heart fervently; give me, O Lord, the love of the 
brethren, and enable me to be kindly affectioned 
towards them in brotherly love, that I may know 
I am paired from death unto life, and ail may know 
that I am thy difciple. Lord, make me able to 
love mine enemies, to blefs them that curfe me, to 
pray for them that defpicefully ufe me. 

Lord, give me grace to deny myfelf, to take up 
my crcfs daily, and to follow Chrift; to keep under 
the body, and to bring it into fubjecYion ; let me learn 
of Chjtift to be meek and lowly in heart, that! may 



Prayers for Families. 209 

find reft to my foul : Hide pride from me, and clothe 
me with humility, and put upon me the ornament of 
a meek and quiet fpirit, which is in thy fight of great 
price; let anger never reft in my bofom, nor the fun 
go down upon my wrath, but enable me to mow 
meeknefs towards all men ; let me have bowels of 
mercy, kindnefs, humblenefs of mind, meeknefs, 
and long-fufFering; that being merciful as my 
Father which is in heaven is merciful, I may be 
perfect as he is perfect. 

Lord, teach me in every ftate to be content; let 
my converfation be without covetoufnefs; may I be 
always content with fuch things as I have, ftill fay- 
ing, The will of the L#rd be done. Lord, give 
me grace to weep as though I wept not, and to re- 
joice as though I rejoiced not, as to buy as tho' I 
poittffed not, and to ufe this world as not abuiing 
it, becaufe the time is fhort, and the fafhion of this 
world pafTeth away. May the very God of peace 
fanctify me wholly; and I pray God my whole fpi~ s 
rir, and foul, and body, may be preferved blarne~ 
lefs unto the coming of our Lord Jefus Chrift. Let 
gocdnefs and mercy follow me all the days of my 
life; when I walk through the valley of the fhadow 
of death, be thou with me that I may fear no evil j 
let thy rod and thy ftafl comfort me ; redeem my 
foul from the power of the grave, and receive me 5 
guide me by thy counfd, and afterwards receive 
me to glory, through jefus Chrift, my blefTed 
Lord and Saviour; to whom, with thee and th-e 
Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, thankfgiving 
and praife, for ever and ever. Amn* 

0 



( ) 



Pious ejaculations from the psalms. 

For the pardon of fin. — Have mercy upon me, O 
God, after thy great goodnefs ; according to the 
multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences : 
Wafh me thorougly from my wickednefs, and 
cleanfe me from my fin. Turn thy face from my 
iins, and put out all my mifdeeds; my mifdeeds 
prevail againft me; O be thou merciful unto my 
fms. Enter not into judgment with thyfervant, O 
Lord, for in thy fight lhall no man living be jufti- 
fied. For thy name's fake, O Lord, be merciful 
unto my fin, for it is great. Turn thee, O Lord, 
and deliver my foul ; O fave me for thy mercies' fake. 

For Grace.-— Teach me to do the thing that 
pleafeth thee, for thou art my God. Teach me thy 
way, O Lord, and I will walk by thy truth: O 
knit my heart unto thee, that I may fear thy name. 
Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right 
fpirit within me; O let my heart be found in thy 
fiatutes, that I be not alhamed. Incline my heart 
•unto thy teftimonies, and not to covetoufnefs. 
Turn away mine eyes, left they behold vanity, and 
quicken thou me in thy way. lam a ftranger upon 
earth, O hide not thy commandments from me. 
Lord, teach me fo to number my da^s, that I' may 
apply my heart unto wifdom. 

For the light of God's countenance. — Lord, Vfif 
abhorreft thou my foul, and why hideft thou thy 
face from me? O hide not thy face from me, nor 
caft thy fervant away in difpleafure. Thy loving- 
kindnefs is better than life it fell'. Lord, lift up the 
light of thy countenance upon me. Comfort the 
foul of thy fervant, for unto thee, O Lord, do I 
Hit up my fuul, Arife for my help, while I fuffer 



( 2" ) 

! thy terrors I am diftratted. Say unto my foul,, 
Return unto thy reft, I am thy falvation. 

A Thank/giving. — I will always give thanks unlq 
the Lord, his praife {hall ever be in my mouth. 
Thou art my God, and I. will praife thee. I will 
ling unto the Lord as long as I live, I will praife 
my God while I have my being. Praifed be God, 
who hath not caft out my prayer, nor turned his, 
mercy from me. BleiTed be the Lord God, evea 
the God of IfraeJ, who only doth wondrous things. 
And bleffed be the name of his Majefty for ever 5 
and all the earth fliall be filled with his majefty. 
Amen, Amen. 

A remedy of god's own providing for a sinner's 

GUILTY CONSCIENCE. 

How much more Jhall the blood of Chrift, njuhc through 
the eternal Spirit offered him/elf without /pot to God, 
purge your conference from dead works to ferve the 
living God. Heb. ix. 14, 

AS fin is the greateft evil, that which takes it 
away is the greateft bleiling to the guilty. 
Every thing has failed anfwering that end, but the t 
blcodof the everlafling covenant ; this purges the con- 
fcience from dead works. Sins are called dead 
works, becaufe they defkrve eternal death, which is 
the certain wages thereef. By purging the confidence 
from dead works, we are to underftand cleanfing the 
confeience from the guilt that was contracted by the 
committing them, fo that the perfon is made free 
from them by having a pardon. It was to take 
away from the guilty, the blood of Chrift was fhed (a)* 
This is the infinite remedy that God of his own ac- 
ta) Mat. xxvi. 28. 



( 212 ) 



ccrd, out of his great kindnefs, provided. It h 
really effectual, by reafon of the infinite dignity of 
the per f on, who is of boundiefs worth and merit; he 
is the true God and eternal life ( b J, Accordingly, his 
bloody which is unfpeakably precious, takes away all 
An (c). It alone has procured a complete pardon 

for a great multitude that no man can number, 
** out of all kindreds, and tongues, and people, and 
*' nations (d)." It is fhed for fuch as are under 
*he power of Satan, for the loft and undone, for 
publicans and harlots, for fuch as have no flrength 
so pray, love God, or to do any thing that is good ; 
for the wicked and the ungodly* for the enemies of 
God himfelf (e). The charge given by the Lord 
fcimfelf, after his refurre&ion from the dead, was to 
preach thefe glad tidings; Go, faid he, into all the 
nvorld, preach the gofpet to emery creature. Accord- 
ingly they proclaimed peace through his blood (f) 9 
alluring all that heard them, that through his name, 
whoever believed, Jhould receive the remiffion of fins (g}* 
Could we a(k the various forts of finners that have 
been faved, and are now in heaven, how they came 
there I they would aM of them afcribe their falva- 
sion to Jefus Chritr. The extortioner, the perfe- 
cutor, the fwearer, the unclean, the thief, and the 
drunkard, how came fuch wretches to enter that 
holy place, to be in the prefence of the infinitely 
pure Jehovah? They would praife the riches of free 
grace, in and through the atonement; and would 
lay, " Jefus leved us, and wafhsd us from our fins 
** in his own blood (hj" u He was fiain, and has 
** redeemed us to Goo by his blood (i)" " Our 

robes were wsfhedj and made white in the blood 

ii>) I Joha y. 20 -(c) i Pet J J9 i Tohn i. (<i) Rev vj? 9,- -(e) Roa* 
g io.-(0 &&s x ?<5 -(g) ISti. x, 4S ■-■('*) S -P) ftti> v.9- 



( zi3 ) 

! vt hkodcf the Lamb ( k } " — The cotifd-en-ce Js purged 
I before the perfon ferves the living God : fo that 
though you have not, or cannot, ferve God aright, 
the cleanfing> which is the forgivenef3 - of fin, is 
free for whoever believes (I). It u for the finner 
j as a finner, for the ungodly. It is without money 
1 and without price. Any finner, whoever will, l€t 
|j him take the water of life freely ; for it is a foun- 
| tain open to cleanfe from fin and ail ungodli- 
I nefs ( m)* It is the kindnefs of heaven arifing out of 
the unfearchable riches of God's grace, and very 
confiftent with the infinite juitice and glory of the 
| Almighty. 

Sinner. Que/2, i. As his blood was not fried to 
cleanfe the confeiences of all, how can I have any 
fatisfaclion that the benefit belongs to me? 

Anf. If you believe, you may depend upon it, it 
is yours, as fure as the proclamation from heaven h 
true (n). 

Sinner, £>ueft. z. Believe what? 
dnjvoer. Believe thefe two things: — I. That . 
God, out of his infinite kindnefs, gave his Son to be 
a complete Saviour, and that he has done all God 
requires, and the foul wants. 2. And believe that 
whatChrift did is free for the wicked and the ungodly* 
for the gracelefs and unqualified periming finner. 

As foon as this is underflood, there is relief, in 
what condition foever the perfon finds himfelf. It 
is then the conscience is purged by the atonement 
or blcod of Chrijl. Where there is no relief, there 
is fome defect in the difcerning or belief of this 
truth, 1. Either from a fufpicion that there is not 
enough done to fuit him, which amounts to the fame 

(It) Rev. rii. I4..-(|) Afls xiii. 39~(m) Zech. xiii. i.-(n) John iii. 14. 
X5. Afta xiii. 39» 



( 214 5 



tiling as not believing Jefus to be the Chrifl ; oj% 
2. From a miftruft that it is not free, which is a 
<ii (belief of the gofpel ; for that again and again af- 
fures us, it is free to everyone that believes. 7 he 
cafe is evident; for if Chrifl has done all that God 
required and the foul wants, and there is a procla- 
mation from the King of Heaven that this is entirely 
free ; if I am not relieved thereby, it mull be because 
I do net credit it, which arifes from my not under- 
standing the tidings to be true; for every thing I 
underhand to be true, I mull believe, whether I will 
or no. Accordingly, the work of the Spirit of God 
is to teach a perfon to " know the things freely gi- 
4Si ven us of God For inilance, fuppofe you 

have been a Heathen, Pagan, drunkard, fwearer, 
unclean : If you underftand the Gofpel, you mult 
"believe the glad tidings therein foits yoa. If you 
have been hypocritically falfe, it fuits yoar condi- 
tion. Are you in a dead unprofitable frame, that 
you can neither love God, nor do any thing aright? 
The good news is every way fuitable to one in your 
cipcumitances. /Is there enmity in your heart againft 
God and his ways? Confider the precious blood was 
ihed for enemies (p). _Suppofe you can do or bring 
nothing to recommend you, it fuits there, for it is 
free. When the Spirit of God teaches any one to 
underftand the plain report of the gofpel concerning 
the atonement thus, the conference is purged, there 
is relief, there is eafe immediately, without any more 
ado. This begets love to this free Salvation (q)% 
the wonderful kindnefs difcovered therein, which is 
the love of God, which is quite oppofite to the fer~ 
^ice of iin (r)> the worfhip of Mammon (f), and 

(o) i Cor, ii. iz.-(p) Rom.v, lo.-fa) l Cor. v, 14. 1 John --(0 Tit. . 
21, U.- (Q Mat. vi. 24. 



( 21$ ) 



the friendQiip of the word ft J. If your confdenee 
be purged from dead works, you are called upon by 
him in his world to his fervice, and informed there 
what fervice he has for you, and at the fame time 
it tells you, that where he is, there fhall his fervants 
be ere long. 

Sinner, Queft- 3« But I can find no 3ove to 
| God and his people; and without that, how can I 
have relief from the blood of (Thrift? For where 
love is wanting, nothing profits. 

Jnf. The bivod 'of Chnit is fhed for the unquali- 
fied, to purge the eonfcience from that fin of not 
loving God, who is infinitely deferving of all our 
love, it has procured a pardon of that great fin (u) : 
And can I forbear loving of that which cleanfes me 
from the defects of my love? This underftood, will 
kindle in your heart love to love to God, and his 
people, above all things you have ever yet known,* 
Sinner. Que/}. 4. What fhall I do for him that 
has done fuca a kindnefs ? I fee now plainly that 
where fin has abounded, grace did much more 
abound. I fee what Chrilt has done fuits wicked, 
ungodly, gracelefs me : And if I diibelieve the 
freenefs of it, I diibelieve the gofpel of God. * O 
blelled be God for jefus Chriit 1 He has holpen 
me, a wretched firmer, in my low eftate ! I find 
now the grace manifested in the atonement is enough 
for me. This precious blood faves, jufiifies — it pur- 
ges my eonfcience from guilt — I have peace — what 
I wanted to find in myielf, I fee now in another. 
I know it is a truth, as fure as God's word is true, 
that " by the obedience of one, many are made 
"righteous (<v)," lam fatisfied, that whatever 
(0 Jimcaiv. 4. 1 Joha ii. i5«- C a J 1 J»hn r. 17. Afts vii:V 39, (v) Ram, r. x $, 



( 216 ) 

my foul wants, h already done and finifhed, and it 
is free. This great falvation {hall, during my pil- 
grim age, be my confidence and trufr. J alk you 
how (hall i behave for the future? What lhali I do? 
It is my heart's deiire to be obedient. 

AnL I Take up your crofs and follow Q\ix\ < k(x) r 
by trying to obferve all things he commands (y )„ 
<6 Go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his 
** reproachY-J« ,> 2 » Imitate the kindncfs ihown 
you, by forgiving others (a)> and loving enemies. 
3. Continue in the Apoitie's doctrine, in fellowlhip 
with the difciples, in breaking of bread, and ia 
prayer, from this time forward (b). In obferving 
thefe three things I have mentioned, you will make 
your calling and eleclion Jure (c) ; and it will be a 
proof to you, that your joy is not the joy of the 
hypocrite, and that your lamp will not go out whea 
the bridegroom comes. 

(x) Mat. xvi. 24. -(y) Mat. xxviij, op'-Cz) Keb. xiii, Ij.-Ca) Mat. xviii* 
21-55. Luke vi- 37.— (t) A&s ii. 42. -(c) 2 Pet. i. 10. 

N. B. Read all the Scripture referred to very 
carefully,. 



THE END, 



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